Changing mindsets related to ear and hearing care is crucial to improving access and mitigating the cost of unaddressed hearing loss.
We invite individuals of all ages to empower themselves to ensure healthy ears and hearing for themselves and others, with thIs year theme. By encouraging individuals to recognize the importance of ear and hearing health, this campaign aims to inspire people to change behaviour to protect their hearing from loud sounds and prevent hearing loss, to explain Why regular hearing tests are essential to check their hearing regularly, use hearing devices if needed, and support those living with hearing loss.
Take concrete actions, such as regular hearing check-ups.
Enable individuals of all ages to take concrete actions, such as regular hearing check-ups, the use of hearing protection and use of hearing technology, if advised.
Raise awareness on the importance of ear and hearing care as integral to overall health and well-being.
Take action by Increase public awareness about the importance of ear and hearing care as integral to overall health and well-being, reducing stigma associated with hearing loss.
Statement by Ms Saima Wazed, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia on World Hearing Day 2024.
Each year, on March 03rd, we observe World Hearing Day to raise awareness on how to prevent deafness and hearing loss, and to promote ear and hearing care across the world. This year, we observe the occasion with a call to focus on "Changing Mindsets: Let's make ear and hearing care a reality for all!”
We know that challenges remain due to societal misperceptions and mindsets marked by stigma, and on this day we renew our focus to overcome these by raising awareness and through information-sharing, targeted at the public and healthcare providers.
It is estimated that over 1.5 billion people globally are affected by hearing loss, nearly 80% of whom live in low- and middle-income countries of the world. In our region itself, an estimated 400 million people currently have ear and hearing problems.
Unfortunately, these numbers are rising. At the current rate, it is likely that by 2050 there could be over 660 million people with ear and hearing problems in our region alone.
Despite its prevalence, and the fact that effective interventions are available and cost-effective, globally, over 80% of ear and hearing care needs remain unmet. It is evident that this must be addressed with urgency.
Hearing loss has severe implications for language development, psychological well-being, quality of life, educational attainment, and economic independence.
The fact is that many of the common causes of hearing loss, such as birth-related problems or ear diseases can be prevented; and nearly everyone with an ear or hearing problem can benefit through available effective and cost-effective medical, surgical and rehabilitative interventions.
The economic impact of unaddressed hearing loss is staggering. The global annual cost is nearly US$1 trillion, and the cost for our Region alone is $110 billion.
However, investing just US$1.33 per capita annually for ear and hearing care in health systems can yield a remarkable return of nearly US$16 for every dollar invested over a 10-year period. This investment, if sustained, promises substantial returns and a significant reduction in unaddressed hearing loss costs.
I am pleased that many Member States in our region have prioritized ear and hearing care.
Bangladesh, Myanmar and Nepal have already conducted situational assessment using WHO tools, and are progressing towards strategic development for strengthening ear and hearing care services.
Myanmar aims to provide integrated services in combination with Eye Care, Elderly, Mental Health Care service in a people-centered approach at community level. Free hearing aids were provided in Myanmar when the situational assessment was conducted last year.
Bhutan has started screening all children for ear and hearing and provided services including hearing aids at free of cost for children.
Currently, our teams are collaborating with and providing technical support to the Government of India to redesign the National Program for Prevention and Control of Deafness.
Indonesia's Ministry of Health intends to develop a roadmap for ear and hearing disorder prevention and control, and this will also be supported by our teams as a part of the current biennium workplan.
Moving forward, our Regional priorities include accelerating the implementation of people-centered ear and hearing care services, promoting safe listening practices, advocating for research and data generation, and strengthening human resources.
Let us unite in our commitment to change mindsets related to ear and hearing care, recognizing the impact it has on lives and livelihoods. By addressing misperceptions, promoting awareness, and advocating for increased investment and integration in primary healthcare, we can and will pave the way for a healthier, more inclusive future.
Ms Saima Wazed, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia.
By Ms Saima Wazed, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia
Each year, on March 03, we observe World Hearing Day to raise awareness on how
Raise awareness on how to prevent deafness and hearing loss, and to promote ear and hearing care across the world.
This year, we observe the occasion of World Hearing Day on March 3rd and will focus on "Changing Mindsets: Let's make ear and hearing care a reality for all!”
Changer les mentalités : faisons des soins auditifs et auditifs une réalité pour tous !
Chaque année, le 03 mars, on observe la Journée mondiale de l'audition en vue d' augmenter la sensibilisation sur la manière de prévenir la surdité et la perte auditive et de promouvoir les soins auditifs et auditifs à travers le monde. Cette année, nous célébrons l'occasion en appelant à nous concentrer sur « Changer les mentalités : faisons des soins auditifs et auditifs une réalité pour tous ! » Nous savons que des défis subsistent en raison de perceptions erronées et de mentalités sociétales marquées par la stigmatisation, et en ce jour, nous renouvelons nos efforts pour les surmonter en sensibilisant et en partageant des informations, en ciblant le public et les prestataires de soins de santé. On estime que plus de 1,5 milliard de personnes dans le monde sont touchées par la perte auditive, dont près de 80 % vivent dans des pays à revenu faible ou intermédiaire. Dans notre région elle-même, on estime que 400 millions de personnes souffrent actuellement de problèmes d’oreille et d’audition. Malheureusement, ces chiffres sont en augmentation. Au rythme actuel, il est probable que d’ici 2050, plus de 660 millions de personnes souffriront de problèmes d’oreille et d’audition rien que dans notre région. Malgré sa prévalence et le fait que des interventions efficaces sont disponibles et rentables, à l'échelle mondiale, plus de 80 % des besoins en matière de soins auditifs et auditifs restent non satisfaits. Il est évident que cette question doit être réglée de toute urgence. La perte auditive a de graves conséquences sur le développement du langage, le bien-être psychologique, la qualité de vie, le niveau d’éducation et l’indépendance économique.
Changer les mentalités : faisons des soins auditifs et auditifs une réalité pour tous ! - Téléchargez le document au format PDF ou consultez
Cambiando la mentalidad: ¡Hagamos que el cuidado de los oídos y la audición sea una realidad para todos!
Cada año, el 03 de marzo, observamos el Día Mundial de la Audición para elevar concienciar sobre cómo prevenir la sordera y la pérdida auditiva, y promover el cuidado del oído y la audición en todo el mundo. Este año celebramos la ocasión con un llamado a centrarnos en "Cambiando la mentalidad: ¡Hagamos que el cuidado de los oídos y la audición sea una realidad para todos!" Sabemos que persisten desafíos debido a percepciones sociales erróneas y mentalidades marcadas por el estigma, y en este día renovamos nuestro enfoque para superarlos mediante la sensibilización y el intercambio de información, dirigida al público y a los proveedores de atención médica. Se estima que más de 1.500 millones de personas en todo el mundo se ven afectadas por la pérdida auditiva, casi el 80% de las cuales viven en países de ingresos bajos y medios del mundo. En nuestra propia región, se estima que actualmente 400 millones de personas tienen problemas de oído y de audición. Desafortunadamente, estas cifras están aumentando. Al ritmo actual, es probable que en 2050 haya más de 660 millones de personas con problemas de oído y de audición sólo en nuestra región. A pesar de su prevalencia y del hecho de que existen intervenciones efectivas y rentables, a nivel mundial, más del 80% de las necesidades de atención del oído y la audición siguen sin satisfacerse. Es evidente que esto debe abordarse con urgencia. La pérdida de audición tiene graves implicaciones para el desarrollo del lenguaje, el bienestar psicológico, la calidad de vida, el nivel educativo y la independencia económica.
Cambiando la mentalidad: ¡Hagamos que el cuidado de los oídos y la audición sea una realidad para todos! - Téléchargez le document au format
تغيير العقليات: دعونا نجعل رعاية الأذن والسمع حقيقة واقعة للجميع!
ي كل عام، في 03 مارس، نحتفل باليوم العالمي للسمع الوعي حول كيفية الوقاية من الصمم وفقدان السمع، وتعزيز رعاية الأذن والسمع في جميع أنحاء العالم. وفي هذا العام، نحتفل بهذه المناسبة بدعوة للتركيز على "تغيير العقليات: دعونا نجعل رعاية الأذن والسمع حقيقة واقعة للجميع!" نحن نعلم أن التحديات لا تزال قائمة بسبب المفاهيم الخاطئة والعقليات المجتمعية التي تتسم بالوصم، وفي هذا اليوم نجدد تركيزنا للتغلب على هذه التحديات من خلال زيادة الوعي وتبادل المعلومات التي تستهدف الجمهور ومقدمي الرعاية الصحية.
تغيير العقليات: دعونا نجعل رعاية الأذن والسمع حقيقة واقعة للجميع! - Téléchargez le document au format PDF ou consultez-le gratuitement en li
Technical guidance on hearing aid service delivery approaches for low- and middle-income settings.
For World Hearing Day, marked on 3 March, the World Health Organization (WHO) has released new technical guidance on hearing aid service delivery approaches for low- and middle-income settings. This document is designed to provide practical guidance to countries in developing hearing aid services in areas that lack human resources for assessing hearing, as well as fitting and maintaining hearing aids.
The guidance, developed with support from the ATScale Global Partnership for Assistive Technology, is based on the principle of task sharing among specialists and trained non-specialists. It includes two approaches, one targeting adults and the other for children 5 years and over, and is accompanied by resources with tips for healthy ear care practices, use of hearing aids and how to support people living with hearing loss.
“Over 400 million people with hearing loss could benefit from using hearing devices. However, less than 20% of these needs are fulfilled,” said WHO Director for the Department for Noncommunicable Diseases, Dr Bente Mikkelsen. “Unaddressed hearing loss is a global public health challenge and incurs an estimated cost of over US$ 1 trillion annually. Given the global shortage of ear and hearing care specialists, we have to rethink how we traditionally deliver services.”
The release of the new guide coincides with World Hearing Day. The theme for 2024 is “Changing mindsets: Let’s make ear and hearing care a reality for all”, highlighting the importance of correcting misconceptions of hearing loss that are common among the general public and primary health providers.
Existing mindsets limit access to hearing care
The first of 2 key challenges in ear and hearing care is the lack of health system capacity for the provision of integrated ear and hearing care throughout people’s lives, as evidenced by a lack of policies, human resources and dedicated finances. The service delivery approaches detailed by WHO aim to overcome this challenge by better utilizing non-specialists in providing hearing care to increase capacity.
The second key challenge relates to misperceptions and stigmatizing mindsets about hearing loss and ear diseases, which are deeply ingrained within societies and often limit the success of efforts to improve hearing care. Common misperceptions include the idea that hearing loss is an inevitable part of old age and that hearing aids do not work well or are too expensive.
“Common myths about hearing loss often prevent people from seeking the services they require, even where these services are available,” said Dr Shelly Chadha, technical lead for ear and hearing care at WHO. “Any effort to improve hearing care provision through health system strengthening must be accompanied by work to raise awareness within societies and address stigma related to ear and hearing care.”
Misperceptions are also prevalent among primary health care providers who may consider this to be a specialized or difficult to provide service, resulting in failure to identify and treat even those conditions that do not need specialist care.
Changing mindsets
Changing mindsets related to ear and hearing care is crucial for improving access and mitigating the cost of unaddressed hearing loss. To address common myths and misperceptions, WHO has released several information products and resources to raise public awareness. A factsheet for health professionals provides a clear rationale and directions for engagement of primary level service providers in hearing care provision.
Governments should take steps to integrate ear and hearing care within primary health care, implement community based approaches that bring services close to people and lead initiatives to raise awareness and mitigate stigma related to hearing loss. Health care providers must also play their role by ensuring they give due attention and care to people with common ear and hearing problems. Civil society groups, parents, teachers, and physicians can use WHO’s awareness materials and community resources to inform people about the importance of ear and hearing care.
For World Hearing Day, marked on 3 March, the World Health Organization (WHO) has released new technical guidance on hearing aid service del
