title: Estimated prevalence of hearing loss and provision of hearing services in Pacific Island nations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hearing impairment (HI) affects an estimated 538 million people worldwide, with 80% of these living in developing countries. Untreated HI in childhood may lead to developmental delay and in adults results in social isolation, inability to find or maintain employment, and dependency. Early intervention and support programmes can significantly reduce the negative effects of HI.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To estimate HI prevalence and identify available hearing services in some Pacific countries - Cook Islands, Fiji, Niue, Samoa, Tokelau, Tonga.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected through literature review and correspondence with service providers. Prevalence estimates were based on census data and previously published regional estimates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Estimates indicate 20-23% of the population may have at least a mild HI, with up to 11% having a moderate impairment or worse. Estimated incidence of chronic otitis media in Pacific Island nations is 3-5 times greater than other Australasian countries in children under 10 years old. Permanent HI from otitis media is substantially more likely in children and adults in Pacific Island nations. Several organisations and individuals provide some limited hearing services in a few Pacific Island nations, but the majority of people with HI are largely underserved.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although accurate information on HI prevalence is lacking, prevalence estimates of HI and ear disease suggest they are significant health conditions in Pacific Island nations. There is relatively little support for people with HI or ear disease in the Pacific region. An investment in initiatives to both identify and support people with hearing loss in the Pacific is necessary.
authors.affiliation: Section of Audiology, School of Population Health, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sanders
authors.affiliation: Section of Audiology, School of Population Health, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Natasha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Houghton
authors.affiliation: Section of Pacific Health, School of Population Health, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Ofa
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Dewes
authors.affiliation: Section of Social and Community Health, and the Global Health Group, School of Population Health, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McCool
authors.affiliation: Section of Audiology, and the Global Health Group, School of Population Health, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. pr.thorne@auckland.ac.nz.
authors.forename: Peter R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Thorne
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D001499:Bayes Theorem; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000628:therapy; D006317:Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000208:ethnology*; D010139:Pacific Islands / Q000453:epidemiology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult