Prevention in otology-the key to lifelong hearing health

Hearing loss is a major global health issue with potentially severe consequences for speech development, social integration, and cognitive health. A significant proportion of this burden is preventable through targeted strategies applied across the human lifespan. OBJECTIVE: This narrative review synthesizes key evidence-based preventive measures in otology and provides practical recommendations for clinicians.

Audiologists and otologists should reinforce preventive counseling across the lifespan — including noise protection, ototoxicity (medication-related hearing damage) monitoring, and early infection management — as the review highlights these as the most modifiable risk factors for lifelong hearing health.

With hearing loss projected to affect 2.5 billion people by 2050, a structured preventive framework in otology practice could significantly reduce the global burden and associated cognitive and social consequences.

1. 01Review covers preventive otology strategies to reduce the global burden of hearing loss.
2. 02Links hearing loss to downstream impacts on speech development, social integration, and cognitive decline.
3. 03Highlights modifiable risk factors including noise exposure, ototoxic medications, and ear infections.
4. 04Advocates for a lifespan approach to hearing health promotion.
5. 05Published in HNO (DOI: 10.1007/s00106-026-01780-y).

PMID

42319402

DOI

10.1007/s00106-026-01780-y.

Journal

HNO

Publication type

review

Evidence level

5

Population

General population across the lifespan; focus on individuals at risk for hearing loss

Intervention

Preventive strategies in otology (noise protection, ototoxicity monitoring, infection management)