Check your hearing! early identification is key

Worldwide there are round 466 million people affected by hearing loss and among them 34 million children (Source: WHO, 2018). Round half of these cases could have been avoided by taking preventive measures. Most of these children live in low- and middle-income countries and have no access to audiological care. Just one in forty children with hearing loss wear a hearing aid.

WHO calls for action

On March 3, for World Hearing Day 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) will draw attention to the importance of early identification and intervention for hearing loss, with the theme "Check your hearing!"

The consequences of an untreated hearing loss can be serious: People who do not hear, cannot learn to speak. This could cause difficulties at school and in their work life and the chances of a life without limitations are low. On top of this, untreated hearing loss costs the global economy USD $750 billion every year (Source: WHO).

Prevention and treatment since 2006

The Hear the World Foundation – an initiative of Sonova – is supporting people in need with hearing loss all around the world for over 12 years. Since its establishment, the foundation has supported over 90 aid projects enabling people in need to (better) hear. The foundation donated funding, the latest hearing technology by Phonak, Unitron, Hansaton, Advanced Bionics as well as expertise of a pool of over 14’000 Sonova employees from around the world. As volunteers, employees share their knowledge with local project staff on-site in the projects and thus provide valuable help for self-help.

Support of hearing screening campaigns 

In many low- and middle-income countries, there are no hearing screenings for newborns and only limited access to audiological care. As a result, children’s hearing loss often remains undetected for a long time.  This is why the Hear the World Foundation also supports projects that carry out hearing screening campaigns, for example in Peru and South Africa. On these projects, a smartphone app has even made it possible for laypeople to play a part and conduct hearing screenings. This is one initial step toward early detection of hearing loss. 

Every donation and every social share counts

Participation is everything: Make a statement on World Hearing Day and do an online hearing test or donate in favor of a person in need, a child in need with hearing loss. You can also help spreading the word by sharing our messages on social media. With each post, share or like we draw even more people's attention to the important issue. Check out our social media channels: 

 Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Linkedin. 

thank you so much!