New Delhi (NVI): World Hearing Day is observed on March 3 every year to raise awareness on how to prevent deafness and hearing loss and promote ear and hearing care across the world.
Each year, WHO decides the theme and develops a brochure on the topic based on the best available evidence as well as advocacy materials such as posters, banners, infographics and presentations, among others.
The theme for this year– “Don’t let hearing loss limit you. Hearing for life!,”– highlights that timely and effective care can enable people with hearing loss achieve their full potential.
Around 466 million people around the world have disabling hearing loss and 34 million of these are children.
According to World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that many more are at risk of permanent hearing damage. Globally, there is lack of access to interventions to address hearing loss.
A person is said to be suffering from hearing loss if they are not able to hear as well as someone with normal hearing thresholds of 20 dB or better in both ears, WHO reports.
There are multiple causes of hearing loss as genetic factors, complications at birth, aging and exposure to excessive noise.
There are many interventions that can enable people such as hearing aid cochlear implants, auditory training, speech and language therapy and other assistive devices and also to rehabilitate and support people with hearing loss through the health system and in collaboration with other systems.
