Globally, at least 430 million people are in need of hearing care, with unaddressed hearing loss ranking as the third-largest cause of years lived with disability worldwide.
The WHA70.13 resolution on Prevention of deafness and hearing loss adopted in 2017 and the World report on hearing emphasize the importance of integrating people-centred ear and hearing care (EHC) into national health plans.
To support implementation of their recommendations, WHO has set up the World Hearing Forum. This is a WHO-hosted global advocacy alliance that works to raise awareness about the crucial need, importance, and methods of addressing hearing loss across the life course.
A meeting of members of the World Hearing Forum and other stakeholders will be held at the WHO headquarters with the objectives to:
- Discuss the importance of, barriers to, and strategies for changing people’s perceptions related to hearing loss;
- Update stakeholders on the work and initiatives of the WHO Programme for ear and hearing care; and
- Identify opportunities for integration of EHC into public health initiatives across the life course, including primary health care.
Date:
27–28 November 2023
World Hearing Forum members–only meeting
This will take place on 29 November 2023
Location:
WHO headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland
Participation:
By invitation.
The meetings will be held in-person, with options for remote participation/viewing.
If you are a member of the World Hearing Forum and have not received an invitation, please reach out to us at whf@who.int
Language:
English, with captioning