Monday, March 3rd, is World Hearing Day, the annual World Health Organization (WHO) event designed to raise awareness on how to prevent deafness and hearing loss, while promoting ear and hearing care worldwide. World Hearing Day revolves around a theme, and WHO provides evidence-based advocacy materials, including brochures, flyers, posters, banners, infographics, and presentations (including in different languages) to support the initiative.

WHO’s World Hearing Day theme this year is "Changing mindsets: Empower yourself to make ear and hearing care a reality for all!" This theme builds on the 2024 theme of changing mindsets toward ear and hearing care. The organization invites individuals of all ages to empower themselves to ensure healthy ears and hearing for themselves and others. You can officially register by emailing whf@who.int.

Many hearing healthcare companies and organizations participate annually. For example, Sensaphonics—which has partnered with WHO in the event since 2015— helps raise awareness about hearing health in the music industry. The company, which makes in-ear monitors for musicians and other hearing protection devices, reportedly had the biggest outreach of any of the campaigns in the United States during 2024.

“While sound exposure in industrial settings is highly-regulated by OSHA, there are no regulations for sound exposure from music, for neither industry professionals nor concert attendees,” says the company. “As a result, the WHO projects that 50% of people between ages 12-35 are at risk for permanent sound-induced hearing loss from loud music (~1.1 billion people). It’s a staggering statistic. The silver lining is that sound-induced hearing loss is the only completely preventable cause of hearing loss.” Sensaphonics provides a press kit with comprehensive instructions for effective social media use.

The International Hearing Society (IHS), a multi-discipline organization of hearing care professionals, is also encouraging its members to join World Hearing Day. “IHS is a proud partner of WHO’s World Hearing Day as IHS members are on the forefront of helping people protect and enhance their hearing,” said IHS Executive Director Alissa Parady, CAE, in a press statement.

The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA)—a leading consumer organization for people with hearing loss—also advocates to help people recognize, treat, and communicate with hearing loss. HLAA announced today a new shareable Hearing Loss Toolkit to give people facts and a step-by-step guide. “Hearing loss can be complicated and confusing,” says HLAA Executive Director Barbara Kelley. “It's difficult for people to get trusted information about symptoms, treatment options and what steps to take. These new tools take the guesswork out of hearing loss, and address many of the common questions we hear every day.”

WHO will also be marking World Hearing Day with the launch of the WHO-ITU Global Standard for safe listening to video game play and sports, as well as with a school module on smart listening for includion into educational programs. So stay tuned!