World Hearing Day

     Every year, on March 3, the World Health Organization (WHO) partners with healthcare and community organizations to observe World Hearing Day.  Each year, events are held around the world, with a common theme, to promote ear and hearing health and broaden awareness of related issues.
     The title of the 2024 program is “Changing Mindsets” and the unifying theme for this year’s events is “Let’s make ear and hearing care a reality for all!”  As much a rallying cry as a theme, World Hearing Day organizers strive to eliminate the stigma often associated with hearing issues and to expand global access to information, monitoring, and treatment.

     World Hearing Day 2024 partners and advocates are encouraged to develop programs and host events that further the following objectives:

• “Counter the common misperceptions and stigmatizing mindsets related to ear and hearing problems in communities and among health care providers.”
• “Provide accurate and evidence-based information to change public perceptions of hearing loss.”
• “Call on countries and civil society to address misperceptions and stigmatizing mindsets related to hearing loss, as a crucial step towards ensuring equitable access to ear and hearing care.”

     To grasp the enormity of the issues of hearing loss and ear health and their global impact, consider the following (from WHO):

• Globally, unaddressed hearing loss costs ~$980B (USD) annually.  Of that, more than $310B is health-related cost, and over $180B is attributed to productivity losses.
• In 2019, 1.5 billion people (~1 in 5) suffered from hearing loss; nearly 430 million of these cases were moderate or worse.  The total number is predicted to rise to 2.5 billion (~1 in 4) by 2050.
• In the Americas Region alone, 217 million people have existing hearing loss, and another 196 million people in the European Region.
• Worldwide, more than 80% of hearing and ear care needs are unmet.
• Recreational sound places 50% of 12 – 35-year-olds at risk for hearing loss.
• Approximately 16% of hearing loss in adults is attributed to occupational noise exposure.

     World Hearing Day events and promotions may be generalized to present the broadest array of information to the widest audience possible.  Many default to addressing noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) in adults or presbycusis, simply because these are the most-salient issues.  However, there are several other issues that span a person’s “life course.”  Initiatives related to those issues, whether or not they become the focus of a special event, are worthy of note; these include:

• Immunization programs to prevent infections that can effect hearing and ear health.
• Education and strategy development to manage exposures to ototoxic chemicals and medications.
• Hearing aid fitment education and training.
• Establishing “safe listening” practices for personal electronic devices and recreational activities.
• Design guidance for entertainment venues to enhance “safe listening.”
• Promoting lifelong hearing monitoring and protection, from infancy onward.
• Defining the People-Centered Care public health strategy, summarized by the H.E.A.R.I.N.G. acronym:

     Events planned in the USA in observance of World Hearing Day 2024 include:

• The International Hearing Society (IHS) will host an open house at their Farmington, MI headquarters.
• The University of Kentucky Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery will host its first annual 5K run/walk fundraiser to benefit its hearing aid fund.
• Liberty Hearing Centers and the Opportunity Hub of Brooklyn, NY are collaborating to provide community education and hearing screening services.
• The Coalition for Global Hearing Health administers the World Hearing Day website and conducts conferences for healthcare professionals.
• The Cochlear Implant Center at GBMC Healthcare in Towson, MD will host an event for healthcare professionals, as well as patients and other interested individuals, to present the HEAR◦T (Hearing Empowerment, Advancement, and Robotics in Technology) Initiative.

Related Websites
World Hearing Day – the official website
World Health Organization (WHO)
CDC/NIOSH – US Affiliate
World Hearing Day – Wikipedia (includes information on past observances)
Hearing Cooperative Research Center
Dangerous Decibels
Hearing Industries Association

     The upcoming World Hearing Day serves to reinforce the notion that all causes of hearing loss and all stages of life require attention.  Though “The Third Degree” focuses on aspects of commercial enterprises, it is also a welcome opportunity to remind readers that our interests, our lives, and our impacts are not limited to professional endeavors.  Taking a holistic approach – to any health topic – can improve the quality, and perhaps the quantity, of life for ourselves and others.

     For additional guidance or assistance with Safety and Operations challenges, feel free to leave a comment, contact JayWink Solutions, or schedule an appointment.

References
[Link] “Integrated People-Centred Ear and Hearing Care:  Policy Brief.”  World Health Organization; 2021.
[Link] “World Report on Hearing.”  World Health Organization; 2021.
[Link] “Safe listening devices and systems: a WHO-ITU standard.”  World Health Organization and International Telecommunication Union; 2019.
[Link] “WHO global standard for safe listening venues and events.”  World Health Organization; 2022.

Jody W. Phelps, MSc, PMP®, MBA
Principal Consultant
JayWink Solutions, LLC
[email protected]