The World Health Organization has warned of a growing global burden of hearing loss, with new figures pointing to a sharp rise in hearing-related disabilities worldwide.

According to the UN health agency, nearly 2.5 billion people could be living with some form of hearing loss by 2025. The report further indicates that more than 700 million of those affected will require rehabilitation services.

The WHO notes that Africa is expected to be among the regions most severely impacted by the increasing prevalence of hearing loss, raising concerns about access to care and support services.

Francis Boniface reports.