Let s make hearing health and well-being a national health priority One in six Australians has a hearing health issue.
Contact us W: breakthesoundbarrier.org.au E: campaign@breakthesoundbarrier.org.au Partners
Executive Summary 1 Hearing loss affects one in six people. It is one of the biggest contributors to Australia s burden of disease. 2 But it s not one of Australia s National Health Priority Areas, which receive funding for supports, services, and research. 3 This means almost 4 million Australians are not receiving the support they need to live healthy lives and reach their potential.
Introduction One in six Australians has a hearing health issue. At any age hearing loss can have devastating consequences for personal relationships, emotional and mental well-being, quality of life and economic independence. Children with hearing loss can have difficulties with speech and learning and reaching their full potential, and may also be at increased risk of forms of abuse. In adulthood, disabling hearing loss is associated with a wide range of psychological problems including depression, anxiety, anger, denial, shame, intimacy issues and social isolation. It can damage relationships, overwhelm parents, cause huge financial stress and affect whole families. People with a hearing loss can on average have three more health conditions than others including heart disease, Alzheimer s, dementia, arthritis and high blood pressure. With an ageing population and a generation of younger people exposed to dangerous noise levels the number of Australians with hearing loss is expected to grow to one in four by 2050. But hearing health is not one of our National Health Priority Areas. We need to act now.
If I walked past you on the street, if I was served by you in a restaurant or a shop, chances are you d have no idea I was deaf until I told you. John, born Deaf
What are our National Health Priority Areas? The National Health Priority Areas are diseases and conditions that Australian governments have chosen for focused attention because they contribute significantly to the burden of illness and injury in the Australian community. It is a program of collaborative action between Commonwealth, State and Territory governments, non-government organisations, health experts, clinicians, and consumers for specific diseases and conditions. All national health priorities must be agreed to by COAG. The last addition to the list of National Health Priority Areas was in 2012. By targeting specific areas that impose high social and financial costs on Australian society, collaborative action can achieve significant and cost-effective advances in improving the health status of Australians. The diseases and conditions targeted under the NHPA (National Health Priority Areas ) initiative were chosen because through appropriate and focused attention on them, significant gains in the health of Australia s population can be achieved. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare The existing national health priorities - cancer control, cardiovascular health, injury prevention and control, mental health, diabetes, asthma, arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions, obesity and dementia. These are all important areas of health and well-being. Hearing health and wellbeing is also important. Globally, hearing loss has been identified as the fifth leading cause of years lived with disability. Hearing loss increases risk of depression, dementia, blood pressure and heart conditions. The Government has nine National Health Priorities Areas - hearing health and well-being must be a priority too. This will raise public profile for education, prevention, supports, and research. Importantly it will ensure that hearing health is properly considered and prioritised in government policy.
The health impacts of hearing loss What the DALY data says A 1999 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare study of the burden of disease and injury in Australia found that adult-onset hearing loss was the 11th leading cause of Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) for men and the 15th leading cause for women. Late-onset hearing loss was the second leading cause (after depression) of equivalent healthy life years lost due to the presence of a disability in men, and the ninth leading cause for women. Taking both genders together, hearing loss rates overall as the fifth highest cause of years of healthy life lost due to disability. Hearing loss, as a cause of years of life lost, rates above prostate cancer, asthma, and osteoarthritis for men and above ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, and suicide for women. For both genders, hearing loss causes more disease burden than alcohol dependence, Parkinson s Disease, or melanoma. A comparison with other national health priorities The DALY data: Mild hearing loss is comparable with mild asthma Moderate hearing loss is comparable with chronic pain from back injury or a moderate depressive condition Severe hearing loss is comparable with more advanced diabetes Given that hearing loss is often preventable, it is clear that there is a good case for making it a National Health Priority Area and a co-ordinated national approach to awareness, prevention, and treatment for people with hearing issues. Such an approach would be consistent with the World Health Organisation s recommendations encouraging countries to establish national programs for prevention, and to raise awareness about the level and costs of hearing impairment. The Commonwealth Government already has a policy principle to position ear health within a comprehensive, population-based approach to family, maternal and child health in indigenous health. We need a similar approach for all Australians.
I am proud that my daughter is Deaf and I want her to be proud of herself Jordanna, mother
The cost of hearing loss Hearing loss represents a significant and quantifiable economic cost and impact to Australia, one which far outweighs current expenditure. The annual financial cost to the economy has been estimated at $11billion in lost productivity. Educational expenditure on prevention of hearing loss could be effective in reducing the projected increase in prevalence. Age-related hearing loss is of increasing public health concern because of the need for all Australians to stay productive longer in their lives its impact on lost productivity in the workforce must be viewed as a critical matter than can be addressed through targeted programs. National Chronic Disease Strategy The Australian Government has endorsed the National Chronic Disease Strategy (NCDS) to provide an overarching framework of national direction for improving chronic disease prevention and care across Australia. It is a nationally agreed agenda to encourage coordinated action in response to the growing impact of chronic disease on the health of Australians and our health care system. But Meniere s Disease, Hyperacusis, Tinnitus or Acoustic Neuroma are not listed as chronic diseases, despite the fact they are long-term, have a significant impact on the lives of those who live with them, and can be managed through medication and/or lifestyle changes. For many it is so debilitating that it affects their family and social lifestyle and their employment.
I m in my mid-50s. My life changed in the space of a few hours. Yours can too Donna, became Deaf overnight
What will change? Making hearing health and well-being a National Health Priority Area will make sure it is recognised as a major health issue with long-term impacts on the Australian population and economy. It will unlock research, supports and services for one in six Australians. 1: Better population based information about hearing loss and hearing health care 2: Improved measures for assessing and improving quality of hearing health care services 3: Improved access to hearing health care for vulnerable populations 4: Better promotion of hearing health care in wellness and medical visits 5: Affordability in hearing health care 6: Innovative models of hearing health care to improve access, quality, and affordability 7: More funding for public health campaigns about hearing health 8: More awareness about the need for inclusive work places and communities
Even though one in six Australians have hearing hearing health and well-being concerns, hearing is not one of our country s national health priorities. This means there is not enough investment in research, services and community education, creating a sound barrier that prevents too many Australians from reaching their potential. www.breakthesoundbarrier.org.au