1 in 3 people globally older than 65 has hearing loss

ANKARA 

One in every three people worldwide older than the age of 65 has hearing loss, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Emine Aydin from the University of Health Sciences in Turkey said hearing loss affects 360 million people globally and costs $750 billion, citing WHO figures to mark World Hearing Day on March 3.

“Chronic ear infections rank first among the leading causes of hearing loss,” said the professor of ear, nose and throat disorders. The WHO cites 32 million children diagnosed with hearing loss.

“More than 5% of the world's population has a hearing impairment," she said.