PUTRAJAYA - Hearing loss among Malaysians has reached a concerning level, with one in five people, or 21.5 per cent of the population, affected, making it a major public health concern.
Speaking at the World Hearing Day 2026 celebration, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the situation highlights the urgent need to strengthen early screening, intervention and public awareness to prevent the issue from worsening.
He said that based on the latest data, nearly 44,000 cases of hearing impairment had been recorded up to 2025 through the National Otorhinolaryngology Registry.
“Of that total, the highest number was recorded among adults and the elderly, who accounted for 86.4 per cent of the total,” he said here on Friday.
He said the issue should not be taken lightly as hearing impairment directly affects quality of life, social communication and individual productivity.
“This issue requires a comprehensive approach covering prevention, early detection and timely treatment,” he said.
Dzulkefly said Malaysia remains committed to strengthening the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda and Madani health reforms to ensure more equitable and inclusive access to healthcare for all.
He said this approach is crucial to ensure no group is left behind in receiving treatment for hearing-related conditions, particularly high-risk groups.
At the same time, he said the rise in cases is also influenced by an ageing population as well as prolonged exposure to noise.
He said key causes include infections, genetic factors and excessive noise exposure, whether at the workplace or through daily lifestyle habits..
“Public awareness still needs to be improved as many only seek treatment when the condition has reached a serious stage,” he said.
Dzulkefly said this makes full recovery more difficult, especially when damage to hearing nerves has already occurred.
He added that although medical technology continues to advance, early prevention remains the most effective approach in addressing the issue.
In this regard, he urged the public to be more aware of early signs of hearing problems, including difficulty hearing conversations in noisy environments or the need to excessively increase device volume.
At the same time, the Health Ministry (MOH) is expanding newborn screening programmes and early interventions to ensure hearing issues are detected from an early stage of life.
Such efforts are important to prevent children from facing speech and learning difficulties due to untreated hearing problems.
He stressed that cooperation from all parties, including the public, employers and healthcare institutions, is essential to address the issue effectively.
“As of February 2026, a total of 50,413 individuals are registered as persons with hearing disabilities.
“To patients and workers present, know your rights. Hearing nerve damage caused by industrial noise is permanent, but it is 100 per cent preventable.
“Hearing is a great blessing that must be protected. Delayed action may result in lifelong consequences,” he said.