World Hearing Day 2021 is March 3! This yearly initiative by the World Health Organization is all about raising awareness of hearing loss and the effect it has on your life. This year, the theme is Hearing Care for All. It’s a global call to action for policy makers and individuals, raising awareness about hearing loss and how treating hearing loss improves overall health and quality of life. There are a few key messages from World Hearing Day 2021.
Key Messages for Policy Makers
World Hearing Day calls on policy makers to recognize the high number of people living with untreated hearing loss. In the U.S., 50 million people have hearing loss, but only 1 in 3 people treat their hearing loss! According to the World Health Organization, policy makers need to do their part to encourage everyone to look after their hearing health. Other concerns include:
- Doing more to prevent hearing loss in the workplace.
- Addressing hearing loss across the lifespan, and drawing awareness to hearing loss in children, teens, young adults, and older adults.
- Investing in programs to make hearing health care more affordable for everyone.
- Working towards changing policies to include hearing care coverage in healthcare plans.
Key Messages for Individuals
World Hearing Day also has a few messages for you and your family. The first message is that clear hearing and easy communication are vital for your overall health and wellbeing. When you can’t communicate with loved ones, you’re more likely to suffer from anxiety, social isolation, and depression. Untreated hearing loss is also linked to rapid cognitive decline and an increased risk of dementia. Hearing loss is extremely important during all stages of life.
Other key messages from World Hearing Day include:
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- The importance of protecting your hearing. Did you know that noise induced hearing loss is preventable? Yet millions of Americans have hearing loss caused by loud work environments or noisy leisure activities. Learn about loud sounds and discover what you can do to protect your hearing by wearing hearing protection.
- If you’re at risk of hearing loss, you should get regular hearing screenings. For anyone working in a noisy job or regularly doing things to put hearing at risk, it’s important to get regular hearing screenings. This will help you monitor your hearing health and get up-to-date information on your hearing needs.
- Take a baseline hearing test. If you’ve never had a hearing test, World Hearing Day is a great time to get a baseline test. This test will show your exact hearing abilities. It shows your hearing threshold and the softest sounds you can hear at each pitch. Next time you get a hearing test, you’ll be able to compare the results, and notice if your hearing is starting to change.
- Treat your hearing loss. Another key message from World Hearing Day is to treat your hearing loss. If you have trouble following conversations or hearing sounds around you, then take this opportunity to do something about it. You’ll find amazing new hearing technology that will help you hear when you need it the most.
A Call to Action
World Hearing Day 2021 is a call to action. It’s the perfect time to raise awareness about hearing loss and break down the stigma that still surrounds this treatable health condition. You may think that hearing loss only affects seniors, and you’re worried that admitting to hearing loss will make you seem old. That’s the stigma around hearing loss, but it’s just not true.
Hearing loss affects people of all ages, even children and teens. And many adults will start noticing signs of hearing loss in their 40s or 50s. Do the right thing for your hearing health and treat your hearing loss! You’ll enjoy easy communication with family and friends, and reduce the stigma around hearing loss. You will also pave the way for others to find out about their hearing loss, seek treatment, and get back to clear communication.
Our Comprehensive Hearing Health Services
Looking after your hearing health will give you a whole new appreciation for life. You’ll be able to participate in conversations, enjoy time with your loved ones, and maintain your independence. Join us in celebrating World Hearing Day by scheduling a hearing test today!