March 3rd marks a significant day in the global health calendar – World Hearing Day. Spearheaded by the World Health Organization (WHO), this day is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of ear and hearing care and the ways to prevent deafness and hearing loss. With each passing year, the WHO champions this cause by setting a theme that addresses the critical aspects of world hearing care. For 2024, the theme is both a challenge and a call to action – Changing mindsets: Let’s make ear and hearing care a reality for all!
The Stark Reality
Hearing loss and ear diseases are among the most common health issues globally, yet they are largely overlooked by many individuals. The statistics are alarming, with research showing over 80% of ear and hearing care needs remain unmet worldwide, leading to an annual cost of nearly US$1 trillion due to unaddressed hearing loss poses (Source: WHO). This figure includes not only the direct costs of medical care but also the indirect costs related to loss of productivity, cognitive decline, and social isolation.
The Challenge of Societal Misperceptions
At the heart of the issue are the deeply ingrained societal misperceptions and stigmatizing mindsets that are common in communities across the globe. These beliefs can significantly hinder the efforts to prevent and address hearing loss. The stigmas associated with wearing hearing aids or seeking treatment for ear diseases discourages individuals from taking the necessary steps to improve their hearing health. According to the University of California study these stigma are often related to three factors: ageism, alteration of self-perception, vanity.
To understand the challenges better we picked out some quotations from participants of the study The Stigma of Hearing Loss:
Ageism
“hearing aid is another thing, like my gray hair, that will identify me as an old person.“
“. . . but hearing aids, people don’t wear hearing aids, generally, unless they’re older, so hearing aids are a sign of age .”
“I guess, don’t want to let on that I’m getting on in years as it were . . . the association of hearing aids with aging . . . . But the stigma is associated with the aging rather than anything else.”
Alteration of self-perception
“I think even today there are some things that many people in society just recoil to some physical or mental disability. Human nature I guess. And . . . in my case, you know, if I have, in addition to weak eyes, if I have weak ears, oh my gosh! You know, it’s another little bit of a handicap that, you know, that you don’t like to talk about.”
Vanity
“Well I’m going to be having a hair style that they won’t show . . . . I like long earrings and so I’m thinking to myself, well boy, I don’t know if you want to be calling attention to like your ears, but earrings hang down long, so maybe get them really long and then it will draw attention to my shoulders and not my ears.”
A Call to Change
This year’s World Hearing Day is not just about awareness raising; it’s about action. It’s a call to change the way society views ear and hearing care. It’s about transforming attitudes from indifference and stigma to understanding and support. Changing these mindsets is essential for making ear and hearing care accessible and affordable for everyone, regardless of age, location, or economic status.
Join the Global Initiative
The WHO is leading the charge by developing a suite of evidence-based advocacy materials, including brochures, flyers, posters, banners, infographics, and presentations. These evidence based information resources are designed to educate and inspire action among stakeholders in government, civil society, and the healthcare providers sector. The aim is to foster a global movement that embraces ear and hearing care as a fundamental aspect of overall health and well-being.
Key Messages for World Hearing Day 2024
- Acknowledge the Unmet Need: Recognizing that over 80% of ear and hearing care needs remain unaddressed is the first step towards change.
- Address Societal Misperceptions: It’s crucial to challenge and change the stigmatizing mindsets and common misperceptions that limit efforts for preventing and addressing hearing loss.
- Embrace Change: Improving access to ear and hearing care and mitigating the cost of unaddressed hearing loss starts with a change in mindset.
Let's Make a Difference
World Hearing Day 2024 is more than an awareness event; it’s a crucial step towards inclusivity, understanding, and health equity. By changing mindsets related to hearing, we can make ear and hearing care a reality for all. Join the global initiative and be a part of the change that paves the way for a world where hearing loss is no longer a silent burden but a challenge met with compassion, innovation, and collective action.
