Exposure to loud music will lead to one in five young Australians with hearing loss: report

SYDNEY, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- A new report from Australia on Wednesday warned that hearing loss is expected to grow dramatically over the coming decades.

Hearing Care Industry Australia (HCIA), in association with Deloitte Access Economics, estimates that not only will the increased prevalence of hearing loss be a major medical concern, it will also cost the nation billions.

At present, 3.6 million Australians suffer from some form of hearing loss, which costs the economy 15.9 billion Australian dollars (12.46 billion U.S. dollars) annually, due to diminished productivity and premature retirement.

The report claims that by the year 2060, 7.8 million people or one in five Australians will develop hearing problems.

Most at risk are young people aged 12 to 35, with exposure to loud music one of major factors that causes hearing loss.

HCIA has urged the Australian Government to do more to prepare for the coming issue and has called for a free hearing screening program to be rolled out for people aged over 50.

The organization also recommends the introduction of a hearing aid voucher program for young people and those from low socioeconomic backgrounds.

"The significant increase in the prevalence of hearing loss shown in this report raises challenges for the hearing care industry on how we can best support and mitigate the impact on the Australian population," HCIA's Chairman Ashley Wilson explained.