WHF calls for inclusion of World Hearing Day in the UN Calendar
Every year on 3 March, World Hearing Day provides an important opportunity to highlight hearing health and promote action on prevention, early detection, and access to hearing care. The Day has become a global moment to raise awareness among policymakers, healthcare professionals, and the public of the growing impact of hearing loss on individuals and societies.
Hearing loss is one of the most common health conditions worldwide, and its prevalence is expected to rise as populations age. In Europe alone, millions of people live with hearing loss, underlining the need for sustained public awareness and stronger recognition of hearing health as a public health priority.
Elevating World Hearing Day to the UN Calendar
The World Hearing Forum (WHF) has launched an initiative calling for World Hearing Day to be formally included in the United Nations calendar of international observances. This recognition would further strengthen global awareness efforts and reinforce the importance of hearing health within international public health agendas.
Inclusion in the UN calendar would provide greater visibility for hearing loss prevention and hearing care, encourage stronger engagement from governments and international organisations, and help mobilise coordinated action worldwide.
To support this initiative, the World Hearing Forum has launched a dedicated information campaign, including a booklet explaining the proposal and additional advocacy materials. These resources, together with a public petition supporting the initiative, are available on the campaign website.
EHIMA supports the initiative
As a member of the World Hearing Forum, EHIMA supports efforts to further elevate the global profile of hearing health. Strengthening the recognition of World Hearing Day can help increase awareness of the societal and economic impact of hearing loss and encourage policymakers to prioritise prevention, early detection, and access to hearing care.
EHIMA therefore encourages stakeholders and interested individuals to learn more about the initiative, join the mission to strengthen global recognition of hearing health, and consider supporting it by signing the petition available on the campaign website (links above).
