World Report on Hearing
The World Report on Hearing (WRH) has been developed in response to the World Health Assembly resolution (WHA70.13), adopted in 2017 as a means of providing guidance for Member States to integrate ear and hearing care into their national health plans.
Based on the best available evidence, this report presents epidemiological and financial data on hearing loss; outlines available cost-effective solutions and sets the way forward through "Integrated people-centred ear and hearing care" (IPC–EHC). The report proposes a set of key H.E.A.R.I.N.G. interventions that must be delivered through a strengthened health system to realize the vision of IPC–EHC.
The WRH was developed in collaboration with experts and stakeholders in the field of ear and hearing care who informed the report’s strategic direction and ensured that it reflects a range of cultural contexts and approaches to hearing care. The report is global in its reach while keeping a special focus on low- and middle-income countries, where the number of people with hearing loss is not matched by the availability of services and resources.
Aim
The World Report on Hearing aims to provide evidence-based guidance to drive actions for integration of quality EHC services into national health plans of Member States, as part of their work towards universal health coverage.
Key messages
The tagline for the dissemination of the WRH is Hearing Care for All, which encompasses the following key messages:
- The number of people living with unaddressed hearing loss and ear diseases is unacceptable
- Timely action is needed to prevent and address hearing loss across the life course
- Investing in cost effective interventions will benefit people with hearing loss and bring financial gains to the society
- Countries must integrate people-centred ear and hearing care (IPC–EHC) within national health plans for universal health coverage
Structure
The World Report on Hearing is structured in 4 sections:
- Why hearing matters: hearing across the life–course
- Solutions for everyone: hearing loss can be prevented and addressed
- Facing the challenges: improving access to ear and hearing care
- The vision of ear and hearing care: designing the way forward
Call to action
“Integrate people-centred ear and hearing care within national health plans for universal health coverage”
Executive summary
Policy brief
Handbook
Infographics
Social media tiles
Activities
As well as celebrating WHD and launching the WRH, our task is to empower and mobilize others to do the same thing. As part of this, all partners are invited to organize their events and share them globally through following WHO-led platforms:
Interactive map
Interactive map on WHO website: All registered activities will be reflected on a map that will be hosted on the WHO website. It will carry:
- The country and place of organization
- A brief description of the event
- Name of organizing body
- Links to relevant websites (where available)
Hear-a-thon
Social media Hear-a-thon. In order to showcase the activities for the launch or implementation of the World report on hearing, a 24-hour-long event will be organized on 3 March through the Facebook group. The event will provide an opportunity for all Member States and partners to share their activities at a global platform. Those interested in participation should register their activities with WHO indicating their intention to join the Hear-a-thon. Details can be found on the FB group including specifications regarding images and videos to be posted.
Hear-a-thon kit
Facebook group
The World Hearing Forum Changemakers Facebook Group. The World Hearing Forum is a global network of stakeholders promoting ear and hearing care worldwide. The current focus of the forum and purpose of this Facebook Group is to facilitate the planning and delivery of World Hearing Day 2021 and the launch of the World Report on Hearing. This Facebook group provides members the facility/online space to share knowledge, skills and experiences in the planning and delivery of this work. It also provides a platform to promote ear and hearing care to audiences worldwide.
Who is it for? This is a public Facebook group for WHF members and anyone else with a mutual interest and desire to promote ear and hearing care. As a public Facebook group, all information is visible.
How to use the group?
- Share information and keep in touch with other members of the group
- Share/post content from your organisation (or relevant online content created by others) related to World Hearing Day 2021/The World Report on Hearing
- Read and interact with content published by other members
- Communicate with other members through the Discussion section of the group
For example:
- Activity/event planning – share ideas, ask questions, seek advice and support from group members.
- Promotion
- In advance of World Hearing Day, promote any planned activities and/or events that you are going to be facilitating/taking part in.
- Launch and promote activities and events on the day – when/as they happen.
- please use one or more of the following hashtags to label your contributions:
- #hearathon2021
- #worldhearingday
- #hearingcare
- #safelistening
- Note: #hearingcare should be used in all activities related to launch of the Report, when sharing these over Facebook & Twitter