Every year, the third of March is World Hearing Day.
It’s an initiative from the World Health Organisation and a global call for action to address hearing loss, particularly in developing countries.
And it’s something we’re huge supporters of.
World Hearing Day messages
The key messages for the public in this year’s campaign are:
- Good hearing and communication are important at all stages of life
- Hearing loss can be avoided through preventative actions such as protection against loud sounds and good ear care practices
- Hearing loss can be addressed when it is identified in a timely manner and appropriate care is sought
- People at risk of hearing loss should check their hearing regularly
- People with hearing loss should seek care from a health care provider.
Our hearing is fundamental to our ability to communicate and to engage with the world around us.
Neglect it, don’t look after it, and we are putting a critical part of our lives at risk.
Loud music
One example.
The World Health Organisation now estimates that over a billion adolescents and young adults are at risk of avoidable, irreversible hearing loss due to the common practices of listening to music at loud volumes through earphones.
The World Hearing Day campaign has played a big part in sharing some important messages and warnings like the one above. And this year sees the launch of the world report on hearing, a detailed look at the latest evidence and research.