Report of International Ear Care Day held in WHO HQ, Geneva, Switzerland 3 March 2013 360 million people, representing 5.3% of the world s population are affected by disabling hearing loss. Many of the conditions which lead to hearing loss are avoidable, while others can be managed through a variety of interventions. In order to raise awareness about the prevalence, preventability and public health impact of ear diseases and hearing loss, 3 March is observed as the International Ear Care Day. In 2007, China Rehabilitation Research Centre for Deaf Children (CRRCDC), Beijing, China Disabled Persons Federation (CDPF), Beijing and WHO jointly hosted the First International Conference on Prevention and Rehabilitation of Hearing Impairment in Beijing. A key output of this conference was the "Beijing Declaration" which included the following prominent recommendation: Establish International Ear Care Day, for promoting global actions on hearing care, and minimizing occurrence of hearing impairment. 3.3 was selected as a suitable date, the numbers being representative of the two ears. This year the theme for the International Ear Care Day was Healthy Hearing, Happy Life - Hearing Health Care for Ageing People. The purpose was to raise awareness and promote community-based activities for ear and hearing health. The campaign focused on the ageing and elderly population of the world due to the high prevalence of hearing loss in this population. As per WHO estimates, one-third of those above the age of 65 years are affected by disabling hearing loss, many of whom can be benefitted by the use of suitable hearing devices. The key objective of this day was to raise awareness about the prevalence, impact and management of age-related hearing loss. A number of activities were carried out by the World Health Organization, WHO collaborating centres and Member States to mark the International Ear Care Day this year. These are as below: International Ear Care Day 2013 Page 1
1. Release of new WHO data on hearing loss On 27 February 2013, the World Health Organization released a press brief at the Palais des Nations, Geneva. This included a new global estimate of people suffering from hearing loss. This can be accessed online at: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/notes/2013/hearing_loss_20130227/en/ The press brief was picked up by numerous news agencies worldwide, resulting in numerous articles. Press briefing at Palais des Nations 2. Releasing new factsheet, fact file and frequently asked questions A new factsheet on deafness and hearing loss was released on the WHO website. A fact file and set of frequently asked questions (on age-related hearing loss) were also released alongside. These can be accessed online at: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs300/en/ http://www.who.int/features/factfiles/deafness/en/ http://www.who.int/pbd/deafness/frequentlyaskedquestions.pdf International Ear Care Day 2013 Page 2
3. Internet announcement on WHO homepage Hearing loss and the International Ear and Hearing Care day ran as the lead story on the WHO website for one week. As the site is accessed by thousands of persons worldwide every day, this will have led to a greater awareness about hearing loss. (http://www.who.int/pbd/deafness/news/idec/en/index.html) 4. Social media campaign on age-related hearing loss A Facebook and Twitter campaign was also held on this day, which was highly successful, with a large number of responses coming from the general public. It helped to further raise awareness regarding the importance of hearing loss and its prevention. 5. Intranet: lead story and event announcement There was an announcement on the WHO intranet along with the position of a lead story. This served to raise awareness and sensitize members of the WHO community on the global impact of hearing loss as well as WHO s activities in this regard. 6. Lunchtime seminar on Healthy Hearing, Happy Life - Hearing Health Care for Ageing People This event was held on Monday 4 March 2013. The objective was to raise awareness within WHO regarding the prevalence, impact and management of hearing loss, with special regard to age-related hearing loss. Discussion centred on the role of assistive devices such as hearing aids in elderly persons with hearing loss. Five speakers were invited, four of whom were experts from different areas within WHO and one external expert. Dr Nicholas Banatvala, Coordinator, PBD chaired the session. Dr Gretchen Stevens, WHO: WHO estimates for hearing loss, 2013. Dr John Beard, WHO: Impact of hearing loss in the elderly. Prof. Achal Gulati, Professor, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India: Coping with hearing loss and hearing aids. Ms Alana Officer, WHO: Barriers to use of hearing devices. Dr Francis Moussy, WHO: WHO initiatives for improving access to hearing aids. International Ear Care Day 2013 Page 3
Over 70 participants attended this seminar. Speakers at the Lunch-time seminar Member States activities on 3 March 2013 Guinea: The International Ear Care Day was organized by the Ministry of Public Health in Guinea through the National Program on Hearing Health, Guinea Society of Otorhinolaryngology with technical support from WHO. A media campaign and community awareness session on prevention and early treatment of hearing disorders were undertaken. Guinea also organized free camps for consultation and ear and hearing care for students and teachers in a primary school in Almamiya and in fifteen different sites and two health centres. International Ear Care Day 2013 Page 4
Nigeria Members of the Otorhinolaryngological Society of Nigeria (ORLSON) carried out activities in all the geographical regions of Nigeria. These included: Public Lectures with government officials / policy makers in attendance. Media campaign on radio, television and print media. Screening for hearing loss in communities and primary health care settings. Free treatment of ear diseases. Health talk on ear care. Free meningitis vaccination. Sri Lanka A media conference was conducted on 4 March 2013 to mark the International Ear Care Day. Representatives of the Ministry of Health as well as ENT organizations participated in the conference. Nicaragua The Government of Nicaragua, Association of ENT doctors, Association of the Deaf, Federation of People with Disability and CBM joined forces together to organize the International Ear Care Day. The event had excellent participation of persons with hearing impairment, professionals, teachers, translators and persons with disabilities. Performances were given by persons with disability. International Ear Care Day 2013 Page 5
Bangladesh The Centre for Disability in Development (CDD), Bangladesh and its partner NGOs organized awareness programmes at different level to sensitize people. Awareness programmes were organized to sensitize community about healthy ear and hearing care using flip chart, flash cards and posters developed. An orientation programme for journalists was also conducted. A hearing screening programme was undertaken to mark the day. International Ear Care Day 2013 Page 6
Indonesia The Indonesian National Committee for the prevention of Hearing Impairment and Deafness along with 30 local committees carried out numerous activities to mark the International Ear Care Day. Some of the activities include: Raising awareness regarding ear and hearing care, hearing loss and use of hearing aids in elderly. Campaign on noise-induced hearing loss among students of vocational schools. Donation of ear plugs and earmuffs to vocational schools involved in high-noise activities. China 3 March 2013 marked the 14 th National Ear Care Day in China. CRRCDC organized a series of activities to educate the public and create awareness about ear and hearing care. The following are highlights of the activities. International Ear Care Day 2013 Page 7
CRRCDC held a charity concert at the National Centre for Performing Arts, Beijing, which is the 6 th charity concert since 2008. Ministers and senior officials from 15 ministries watched the concert. Free hearing testing was offered to the audiences at the centre. Another 4 cities of China also held similar concerts on this day. The free hearing test and consultations were provided by the personnel through specially equipped vehicles, Ear Care Express. TV broadcasts, newspapers, magazines, Internet and mobile phones were used to report these activities and create awareness on hearing care. International Ear Care Day 2013 Page 8