THE FUNCTIONING OF THE EAR
The ear, in all its aspects, is remarkable.
Firstly, by its functioning and its ability to pick up and amplify acoustic stimuli and encode them into electrical signals that the brain can then decode. By its performance, too, being able to distinguish the noise of a whisper from that of a jet plane.
However, the ear is also fragile.
Each ear has only about 3500 sensory cells (hair cells) that do not regenerate after destruction. In addition to genetic pathologies or the natural ageing of the sensory organ, it can also be exposed to acoustic trauma or affected by bacterial, viral or ototoxic attacks. In addition to hearing loss, the ear can also suffer from various pathologies such as tinnitus or hyperacusis.
Les acouphènes sont des sensations auditives perçues, mais qui ne viennent pas d’une source sonore extérieure. Ces sensations ne sont pas des hallucinations auditives, mais des bruits générés au niveau des voies auditives.
L'hyperacousie signifie une ouïe très développée. Certains espaces bruyants (centre commercial, métro par exemple) sont dérangeants. Les sons faibles sont mal perçus.
All of these conditions can have serious consequences for the person affected, such as isolation, depression or cognitive decline.
HEARING HEALTH FIGURES AROUND THE WORLD
According to the WHO, 466 million people in the world suffer from hearing disorders, including 6 million in France.
50% of young people, i.e. more than one billion worldwide, are said to be subject to dangerous noise levels by exposing their hearing to risky practices. Hearing is therefore a public health issue and protecting it must become a priority for present and future generations.
En million, le nombre de personnes concernées par la surdité ou la malentendance dans le monde
La part de la population française concernée par la surdité en 2013
Plus d'un milliard de jeunes est exposé à des niveaux sonores dangereux