World Hearing Day 2020 - Don't let hearing loss limit you!

World Hearing Day is held on 3 March each year to raise awareness on how to prevent deafness and hearing loss and promote ear and hearing care across the world. WHO organizes an annual World Hearing Day event in Geneva and invites all stakeholders to join this global initiative.

Approximately 466 million people are estimated to be living with hearing loss. This number is believed to increase as more than one billion young people between 12 and 35 years are at risk for hearing loss due to recreational exposure to loud sound.

When was the last time you examined your hearing? It is recommended to undergo an examination per year.

On World Hearing Day 2020, WHO will highlight that timely and effective interventions can ensure that people with hearing loss are able to achieve their full potential. It will draw attention to the options available in this respect.

WHO key messages for World Hearing Day 2020:

• At all life stages, communication and good hearing health connect us to each other, our communities, and the world.
• For those who have hearing loss, appropriate and timely interventions can facilitate access to education, employment and communication.
• Globally, there is lack of access to interventions to address hearing loss, such as hearing aids.
• Early intervention should be made available through the health systems.

People of all ages should follow safe listening practices in order to avoid hearing loss.

To achieve this vision, strategies and actions have been planned in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), through a multi-stakeholder collaboration involving experts from professional associations, civil society organizations and the private sector as well as users themselves. 

Key actions include:

WHO-ITU Global standard for safe listening devices and systems

The standard is applicable to personal audio devices such as smartphones and MP3 players. It offers recommendations on safe listening features to be included in such devices. The implementation of this standard would allow for safe listening.

Communication campaign for safe listening

Through this campaign, WHO aims to raise awareness about safe listening practices especially among young people and highlight the need for safe listening to policy-makers, health professionals, parents and others.

Develop a regulatory framework for control of exposure to sound in entertainment venues

In collaboration with partners, WHO is studying existing regulations regarding noise in entertainment venues, such as nightclubs, bars and arenas hosting concerts and sporting events. This is the first step in the development of a regulatory framework to promote safe listening spaces.

Read more about hearing loops here.

Sources:

https://www.who.int/

Have a euphonious World Hearing Day and take care your own and others hearing.