That’s equivalent to the number of people who own a car. As the population ages and noise pollution in the world increases, more and more people will be losing their hearing. The consequences of untreated hearing loss can extend as far as complete social isolation. It is estimated that the number of those affected by hearing loss will rise to around 1.1 billion by 2015.

Seeking a hearing professional is a major step forward. On average, people with hearing loss wait 10 years before doing anything about it. Not only does this result in a seriously reduced quality of life, it also reduces the effectiveness of future treatments - if they ever do decide to seek solutions. Over time, the brain "forgets" how to hear because it loses its ability to recognize everyday sounds.

As the world’s leading manufacturer of hearing systems, Phonak has long recognized the need for better awareness about the topic of hearing and hearing loss. For this reason, Phonak created the global Hear the World initiative to educate the public about the importance of hearing, the social and emotional implications of hearing loss, and the available solutions for those with hearing loss. The ability to hear is such an integral part of life, yet most take it for granted.

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