WHO news release on World Hearing Day 3 March, with thanks to Jackeline Alger (HIFA-Spanish lead moderator). And a comment from me below.
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WHO Press Release: From communities to classrooms: hearing care for all children
Let's act now so that no child is left behind because of an ear or hearing problem.
https://www.who.int/es/campaigns/world-hearing-day/2026
Why should we focus on children's hearing?
Globally, school-aged children with hearing loss often go undiagnosed and lack access to necessary services (World Report on Hearing, 2021). Hearing loss affects approximately 90 million children and adolescents aged 5–19 in all regions of the world (Global Burden of Disease Study, 2021). However, this condition often goes undetected, particularly in resource-limited settings.
Common causes of hearing loss (e.g., otitis media with effusion, chronic suppurative otitis media, and earwax buildup), which are preventable and treatable, are very frequent in children. Sometimes, hearing loss begins insidiously but progresses and worsens over time.
If left untreated, hearing loss not only affects a child's hearing ability, but also significantly impacts speech, language, and cognitive and social development, often leading to poorer academic performance, diminished employment prospects, and long-term economic disadvantages.
How to act?
This year, World Hearing Day focuses on the theme "From communities to classrooms: hearing care for all children" .
The campaign is structured around two imperatives:
Preventing avoidable hearing loss in children
To ensure the early detection and treatment of ear or hearing problems in children.
Communities and classrooms provide access for children, parents, and teachers. We can help children hear, learn, and succeed by integrating hearing care into school health and child health programs.
All campaign materials can be found here
Key messages
Around 90 million children between the ages of 5 and 19 suffer from hearing loss
More than 60% of childhood hearing loss can be prevented by adopting simple and cost-effective public health measures.
For people with ear diseases or hearing loss, early detection and care are critical to avoid long-term effects on development, education, and future opportunities.
Integrating systematic screening and early intervention programs into school health and child health plans can ensure better outcomes for children with ear or hearing problems.
Call to action: World Hearing Day 2026
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CHIFA profile: Neil Pakenham-Walsh is coordinator of HIFA (Healthcare Information For All), a global health community that brings all stakeholders together around the shared goal of universal access to reliable healthcare information. HIFA has 20,000 members in 180 countries, interacting in four languages and representing all parts of the global evidence ecosystem. HIFA is administered by Global Healthcare Information Network, a UK-based nonprofit in official relations with the World Health Organization. Email: neil@hifa.org