This year’s theme on World Hearing Day (March 3) builds on last year’s focus on changing mindsets towards ear and hearing care. By 2030, over 500 million people are expected to have disabling hearing loss, requiring rehabilitation. Over one billion young people face the risk of permanent hearing loss due to prolonged exposure to loud sounds during recreational pastimes such as listening to music and playing video games.
The campaign this year is themed ‘Changing mindsets: Empower yourself to make ear and hearing care a reality for all!’ The occasion will also see the release of global standards for safe listening in video game playing and sports, and a school module on smart listening for inclusion into educational programmes.
How we hear in future depends on how we care for our ears today... through the adoption of safe listening and good hearing care practices, a WHO note said.