World Hearing Report – launch March 3 2021

World Hearing Day 2021 saw the launch of the FIRST World Report on Hearing – a landmark moment in the development of Ear and Hearing Care and a document really useful as an advocacy tool for use with policy makers and funders. Congratulations to Shelly Chadha and her team who have worked so hard to achieve such a comprehensive report. The WHO launch from Geneva included inspirational talks from users of implants and Dr Chadha’s clear message was that:

WE CAN IDENTIFY AND ADDRESS HEARING LOSS AND DEAFNESS AND THAT WE MUST.

See Dr Chadha speaking about the World Report on Hearing here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzjlosWQIfI

The Vision of the Report is a “world in which no individual experiences hearing loss due to preventable cases, and those with hearing loss achieve their full potential through rehabilitation, education and empowerment.”

With forewords including Malala Yousafzi, the Nobel Laureate and UN messenger of peace, herself with a hearing loss, and Bryan Adams, musician, we have strong messages to carry forward. In Bryan Adams words: “music is everything and so is your hearing. Keep rockin’: be safe.”

The key messages are : 

• The number of people living with unaddressed hearing loss and ear diseases is unacceptable. 
• Timely action is needed to prevent and address hearing loss across the life course. 
• Investing in cost effective interventions will benefit people with hearing loss and bring financial gains to the society. 
• Countries must integrate people-centered ear and hearing care within national health plans for universal health coverage.

It will be a great tool for us all working for change in ear and hearing care:

Download the full report here: www.who.int/publications/i/item/world-report-on-hearing

Download Executive Summary and useful infographics here to support advocacy work: Highlighting priorities for ear and hearing care – World Report on Hearing (who.int)