Unaddressed hearing loss has been linked to cognitive decline and evidence suggests that it can contribute to social isolation, loss of autonomy, depression, and dementia, particularly in older adults. Hearing loss can impact development, ability to communicate, education, social well-being, and economic independence. Children with hearing loss and deaf need access to early interventions to ensure the development of language and communication skills. Early identification followed by prompt and appropriate management can effectively reduce the impact of hearing loss on the life of an individual and begin the path to equitable communication. Neonatal and infant hearing screening programs are an effective strategy for early intervention in cases of congenital and early-onset hearing loss. Hearing problems are quite prevalent also among people of old age causing particular mental problems, such as paranoid ideation. Nowadays, a lack of recognition and effective management of hearing loss and balance disorders in aged care services is a concern, as it also imposes a pressing burden on existing mental health and primary care services. There is a need to foster the independence and well-being of deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 era, where pandemics or other unpredicted situations can impose additional problems on this group. In doing so, we bring forward a whole new discussion about approaches, newer directions and implementations, and solutions to the issues under the prism of unexpected demands that ultimately may drive the transformation of health services and systems.
Research, development, manufacture, and service delivery in the hearing health area are highly expected internationally. Innovation and rapid technological change have and continue to drive both improvements and significant disruption in this domain. People with hearing loss, tinnitus and balance disorders encounter practical and social problems beyond those experienced by people who have their hearing and balance. This may increase the risk of people with hearing loss developing mental health problems. Consequently, they may give up interests and activities and this can impact their psychological wellbeing. Hearing loss can have an impact on quality of life as well and can lead to isolation, anxiety, and depression. The social determinants of hearing health are also significant, particularly for minority groups. It is important that deaf and hard of hearing people have affordable access to health services, including appropriate mental health services. Auditory training is an emerging tool, and its limits and barriers should be explicitly explored. Care education and information must be balanced, clear, and provided in an accessible format for deaf and hard of hearing consumers and parents of deaf children.
The topics of interest include but are not limited to the following:
• Strategies for enhancing awareness and inclusion of deaf and hard of hearing people;
• State-of-the-art reviews related to the quality and provision of hearing health care services;
• Technological innovations related to the delivery of hearing services;
• Case studies on ear and hearing health;
• Role of tinnitus in the perception of hearing disability;
• Epidemiological overlap of hearing loss an tinnitus;
• Role of auditory training in children and adults
• Hearing Disability Effects depiction in public mental health and primary care pathways
• Needs-based and systems-based approaches towards hearing health improvements;
• Evaluation and adjustment of educational, occupational, and leisure activities awareness programs.
• Case studies on hearing problems concerning people of old age and related mental problems.
Unaddressed hearing loss has been linked to cognitive decline and evidence suggests that it can contribute to social isolation, loss of autonomy, depression, and dementia, particularly in older adults. Hearing loss can impact development, ability to communicate, education, social well-being, and economic independence. Children with hearing loss and deaf need access to early interventions to ensure the development of language and communication skills. Early identification followed by prompt and appropriate management can effectively reduce the impact of hearing loss on the life of an individual and begin the path to equitable communication. Neonatal and infant hearing screening programs are an effective strategy for early intervention in cases of congenital and early-onset hearing loss. Hearing problems are quite prevalent also among people of old age causing particular mental problems, such as paranoid ideation. Nowadays, a lack of recognition and effective management of hearing loss and balance disorders in aged care services is a concern, as it also imposes a pressing burden on existing mental health and primary care services. There is a need to foster the independence and well-being of deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 era, where pandemics or other unpredicted situations can impose additional problems on this group. In doing so, we bring forward a whole new discussion about approaches, newer directions and implementations, and solutions to the issues under the prism of unexpected demands that ultimately may drive the transformation of health services and systems.
Research, development, manufacture, and service delivery in the hearing health area are highly expected internationally. Innovation and rapid technological change have and continue to drive both improvements and significant disruption in this domain. People with hearing loss, tinnitus and balance disorders encounter practical and social problems beyond those experienced by people who have their hearing and balance. This may increase the risk of people with hearing loss developing mental health problems. Consequently, they may give up interests and activities and this can impact their psychological wellbeing. Hearing loss can have an impact on quality of life as well and can lead to isolation, anxiety, and depression. The social determinants of hearing health are also significant, particularly for minority groups. It is important that deaf and hard of hearing people have affordable access to health services, including appropriate mental health services. Auditory training is an emerging tool, and its limits and barriers should be explicitly explored. Care education and information must be balanced, clear, and provided in an accessible format for deaf and hard of hearing consumers and parents of deaf children.
The topics of interest include but are not limited to the following:
• Strategies for enhancing awareness and inclusion of deaf and hard of hearing people;
• State-of-the-art reviews related to the quality and provision of hearing health care services;
• Technological innovations related to the delivery of hearing services;
• Case studies on ear and hearing health;
• Role of tinnitus in the perception of hearing disability;
• Epidemiological overlap of hearing loss an tinnitus;
• Role of auditory training in children and adults
• Hearing Disability Effects depiction in public mental health and primary care pathways
• Needs-based and systems-based approaches towards hearing health improvements;
• Evaluation and adjustment of educational, occupational, and leisure activities awareness programs.
• Case studies on hearing problems concerning people of old age and related mental problems.
