World Hearing Day is annually observed across the globe on March 3 to raise awareness regarding hearing loss and promote ear and hearing care across the globe, and call for action to address hearing loss and related issues.
- World Hearing Day 2023 is observed on 3rd March 2023 under the theme “Ear and hearing care for all! Let’s make it a reality”.
World Hearing Day event is annually organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO)at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
- Every year, WHO decides the theme of WHD and develops evidence-based advocacy materials such as brochures, flyers, posters, banners, infographics and presentations, among others.
Highlights:
The day emphasises how important it is to integrate ear and hearing care into primary care as an essential component of universal health coverage.
Background:
i. The “Beijing Declaration”, which was adopted during the first international conference on the prevention and rehabilitation of hearing impairment in Beijing, China in 2007, suggested the establishment of “International Ear Care Day”, for promoting global actions on hearing care.
- The China Rehabilitation Research Centre for Deaf Children (CRRCDC), Beijing, the Chinese Disabled People’ Federation (CDPF), Beijing, and WHO jointly hosted the conference.
ii. The 1st ever International Ear Care Day was observed on 3rd March 2007.
iii. International Ear Care Day was renamed as World Hearing Day in 2016.
Key Points:
i. According to the WHO, one of the most prevalent issues in the community is ear and hearing issues. At the primary level of treatment, more than 60% of these may be identified and addressed.
ii. training and capacity building at this level will support integrating ear and hearing care into primary care services.
iii. People will benefit from such integration, which will also help countries in achieving the objective of universal health coverage.
Launch of WHO:
On World Hearing Day, the WHO launched a new training manual titled “Primary ear and hearing care training manual” which covers the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of hearing loss and common ear conditions that cause hearing loss in detail.
- It is primarily intended for medical professionals who work in primary care and offer services to patients at medical facilities or in their communities.
The World Hearing Forum (WHF), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Coalition for Global Hearing Health (CGHH) invite proposals for WHF-CGHH Small Grants for World Hearing Day 2023 as part of activities supporting World Hearing Day.
About the World Health Organisation (WHO):
Director General- Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Headquarters- Geneva, Switzerland
Establishment- 1948
