Jeddah
The International Ear and Hearing Day, celebrated globally on March 3 each year, represents an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of hearing care, address its challenges, and encourage the community to seek related services.
This year’s theme for the International Ear and Hearing Day is “Changing Mindsets… Empowering Yourself to Make Ear and Hearing Care a Reality for All.”
The Ministry of Health published on its official website the objectives of the International Ear and Hearing Day, which include drawing the attention of healthcare providers to the needs of individuals with hearing impairments and ear diseases. It noted that by 2030, more than 500 million people are expected to suffer from disabling hearing loss, and over a billion young people are at risk of hearing loss due to continuous exposure to loud sounds in recreational activities.
The Ministry emphasized that the future of hearing health depends on safe listening practices, proper ear care, early diagnosis, and timely access to rehabilitation, which are essential to maximizing the potential of individuals with hearing loss. It stated that immediate steps can be taken to ensure good hearing health for a lifetime.
Experts in this field indicate that hearing loss can be treated when diagnosed in a timely manner and appropriate care is sought. They urge individuals at risk of hearing loss to have their hearing checked regularly, and those experiencing hearing difficulties or related ear diseases to seek the necessary support from healthcare providers. The World Health Organization has highlighted the importance of integrating ear and hearing care into primary healthcare as a fundamental component of universal health coverage.
It was noted that ear and hearing problems are among the most common issues in society, with over 60% of these problems being detectable and treatable at the primary care level. Integrating ear and hearing care into primary healthcare services through training and capacity building at this level benefits individuals and helps countries advance towards achieving universal health coverage.
The Ministry also pointed out that many young people are at risk of hearing loss due to the unsafe use of personal audio devices and exposure to harmful noise levels. Exposure to loud sounds can lead to temporary hearing loss or tinnitus, and prolonged or repeated exposure can result in permanent hearing damage, which is often irreversible.
