Professor Smith: Addressing age-related hearing loss is an urgent mission of our time

Jointly organized by the Jiangsu Provincial Geriatric Medical Association and Jiangsu Province Hospital (The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University/Jiangsu Women and Children Health Hospital), the "International Symposium on Prevention and Treatment of Hearing Loss in the Elderly" was held in Nanjing on the morning of November 16, 2025.

Professor Andrew Smith, former officer of the WHO Global Program for the Prevention of Deafness and Hearing Loss, and honorary professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, attended this event and had an exclusive interview with "inJiangsu".

In his interview, Professor Smith stated that hearing loss has become one of the most prevalent conditions affecting the elderly population. He cited data indicating that the prevalence of hearing loss increases with age among people over 60, reaching approximately 60% of those aged around 90 having moderate or worse hearing loss. Furthermore, he highlighted that recent research has established a link between hearing loss in the elderly and the onset of dementia, making hearing health a particularly severe and significant issue.

He emphasized that age-related hearing loss ranks among the most pressing public health challenges of our era. As the global population ages, the number of older adults living with hearing loss is growing rapidly. Given the established connection between hearing loss and dementia, it is absolutely essential to raise public awareness about hearing health.

Regarding strategies to address this challenge, Professor Smith stressed the critical importance of raising awareness throughout the entire population. He believes the younger generation, being highly idealistic, can play a substantial role in promoting this awareness. Their efforts would not only foster better inter-generational relationships and improve the quality of life for older adults, but also expose young people themselves to the importance of addressing their own potential hearing loss, particularly the risks associated with listening to loud music.

Professor Smith specifically acknowledged Jiangsu Province's pro-active stance in the field of hearing health. He noted that Jiangsu is very much aware of the problem and aims to raise awareness about hearing loss among older people while providing provisions to address it. This includes establishing systems for examination and screening, and the regular screening of older adults to identify those with hearing loss and subsequently provide them with appropriate rehabilitation.

He identified Jiangsu Province Hospital as being at the forefront in this area, providing the means to address hearing loss across all levels of society and for all age groups.

Tips:

Hearing health is often overlooked, yet it is a crucial aspect of overall well-being. Every year on March 3, the World Health Organization (WHO) leads a global initiative to raise awareness about hearing loss, promote preventive measures, and advocate for accessible hearing care. But do you know how this occasion came into being?

Dr. Xingkuan Bu, Professor of ORL and MD in Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing Medical University China, Vice President of Hearing International (HI), Director of HI / IFOS / ISA Jiangsu Ear and Hearing Center, is a long time friend of Professor Smith, shared with "inJiangsu" that the establishment of World Hearing Day represents a significant "Created in China" achievement in global public health. The Jiangsu team had the privilege of contributing to this meaningful endeavor ---from initiating the Beijing Declaration in 2007, to witnessing its adoption as International Ear Care Day in 2012, and finally seeing it evolve into World Hearing Day in 2015. This journey from a national initiative to a globally recognized health day demonstrates China's growing role in shaping global health governance, and he and his colleagues take great pride in having participated in this remarkable process.

Professor Xi Chen, MD, Director of Otolaryngology department in Jiangsu Province Hospital, Chair-Elect of the Otolaryngology Branch of the Jiangsu Medical Doctor Association, elaborated on the department's development.

The ENT department, with a history of nearly 90 years, has developed four major sub-specialties: otology and audiology, rhinology, laryngology, and head and neck tumor surgery. They performed the first cochlear implantation in Eastern China in the 1990s, and in recent years pioneered voice prosthesis implantation in Jiangsu Province, establishing a lasting rehabilitation program called the "Laryngectomy Salon" that has been running for 11 years. In response to the needs of an aging society, they are shifting the focus from treatment to prevention. Meanwhile, they also implement the national strategy of full-life-cycle health, striving to make more contributions in public health.