Addressing Hearing Problems in Costa Rica: Facts and Estimates

Introduction:

In this article, we will examine in detail the prevalence of hearing problems in the country, considering data such as low hearing, tinnitus, the elderly population and the estimate of the budget needed to invest in hearing aids. This data will help us understand the scale of the challenge and the need to address it effectively.

Prevalence of hearing problems in Costa Rica:

According to the National Institute of Statistics and Census of Costa Rica, approximately 4.67% of the population aged 18 and over in the country has low hearing. If we consider that the total population of Costa Rica is more than five million inhabitants, we can calculate the approximate number of people with low hearing:

5,000,000 * 0.0467 = 233,500 people with low hearing in Costa Rica.

This means that around 233,500 people in the country face difficulties in perceiving and understanding the sounds around them.

Elderly population and hearing problems:

The elderly population in Costa Rica is growing rapidly. According to data from the National Institute of Statistics and Census, approximately 8.9% of the Costa Rican population corresponds to older adults. If we consider that the total population of Costa Rica is more than five million inhabitants, we can calculate the approximate number of older adults in the country:

5,000,000 * 0.089 = 445,000 older adults in Costa Rica.

It is important to note that hearing problems are common among the elderly population. Although we cannot provide an exact figure on the number of professionals needed or the number of consultations required to meet the needs of specialized hearing health services, we know that it is necessary to provide specialized care to this population group to address their hearing needs.

Estimating the budget to invest in hearing aids:

To address hearing problems and improve the quality of life of people who suffer from them, hearing aids are an effective solution. According to global estimates, up to thirty percent of the elderly population needs hearing aids. If we consider the number of older adults in Costa Rica:

445,000 * 0.3 = 133,500 older adults who need hearing aids in Costa Rica.

If we assume that each person needs two hearing aids, we can calculate the budget needed to invest in hearing aids:

133,500 * 2 * $150 = $40,050,000.

This means that an estimated budget of $40,050,000 would be required to provide hearing aids to older adults who need them in Costa Rica.

Hearing-impaired births:

According to estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO), between one and three out of every thousand live births have severe to profound hearing impairment. If we consider that in Costa Rica there are approximately 70,000 births per year, we can calculate the approximate number of births with hearing impairment:

70,000 / 1,000 = 70 severe to profound hearing-impaired births per year (minimum).

70,000 / 1,000 * 3 = 210 births with severe to profound hearing impairment per year (maximum).

This means that, on average, between 70 and 210 children are born each year in Costa Rica with severe to profound hearing impairment.

Tinnitus and its impact on the population:

Tinnitus, also known as "noises in the ears," is another significant hearing problem in Costa Rica. According to estimates, about ten percent of the world's population suffers from tinnitus. Applying this percentage to the population of Costa Rica, we have:

5,000,000 * 0.1 = 500,000 people with tinnitus in Costa Rica.

Of these tinnitus people, it is estimated that eighty percent also have some degree of associated hearing loss. This means that:

500,000 * 0.8 = 400,000 people in Costa Rica suffer from tinnitus and associated hearing loss.

It is important to note that tinnitus can have a significant impact on the quality of life of affected individuals, highlighting the need for specialized audiology care.

Consultations at the National Insurance Institute (INS) for hearing loss and tinnitus

At the National Insurance Institute, an average number of 150 monthly consultations for hearing loss and tinnitus is recorded, which is equivalent to approximately 1,800 consultations per year. These data reveal the existing need in Costa Rica for specialized care services in the field of hearing health. It is evident that a considerable number of people require quality medical care and services due to occupational accidents, occupational diseases and other types of accidents. It is critical to ensure access to specialist services and provide adequate support to those seeking to regain their hearing and hearing well-being.

These data reveal that there is an important impact on the hearing health of Costa Ricans due to exposure to occupational noise, the paradox is that there is no specific law to meet the regulatory needs in terms of occupational hearing conservation and prevention of hearing problems at the occupational level.

Conclusions:

The data and statistics presented highlight the magnitude of hearing problems in Costa Rica. With approximately 233,500 people with low hearing, 133,500 older adults needing hearing aids, 500,000 people with tinnitus and of them up to 400,000 people with tinnitus and associated hearing loss, this is a major concern for hearing health in our country.

In addition, the country requires an estimated budget of $40,050,000 to provide hearing aids to older adults who need them in Costa Rica. This budget is critical to ensuring that older adults can access the right technology and improve their quality of life.

If we consider that up to thirty percent of the elderly population needs hearing aids, the calculation would be as follows:

445,000 * 0.3 = 133,500 older adults who need hearing aids in Costa Rica.

Considering that each person needs two hearing aids, the total cost to meet this demand would be:

133,500 * 2 * $150 = $40,050,000.

This investment in hearing aids will improve the hearing and quality of life of older adults in Costa Rica.

In conclusion, hearing problems in Costa Rica, such as low hearing and tinnitus, are a significant concern affecting a sizable portion of the population. It is essential to have accessible hearing health services and to provide specialized care to those who need it, particularly to the growing elderly population. In addition, it is necessary to allocate the right budget to invest in hearing aids and provide an effective solution to people who require this device. Working together, we can raise awareness, remov

e stigma and improve the quality of life for those affected by hearing problems in Costa Rica.