World Health Organization Prioritizes 'Identification' and 'Intervention' on World Hearing Day

International awareness effort on March 3rd encourages Canadians to have their hearing tested to preserve and protect hearing health

TORONTO, March 1, 2019 /CNW/ - Each year, led by the World Health Organization (WHO), countries around the world acknowledge the international awareness initiative to ensure hearing health receives the attention it needs. In Canada, rates of hearing loss are increasing with an ageing population and educating those who may be at risk is critical. The WHO establishes a theme for each World Hearing Day and this year is about highlighting the importance of early identification and intervention to manage hearing loss. Too many Canadians live with unidentified and untreated hearing loss. Testing one's hearing is the first step towards addressing the issue.

The Campaign for Better Hearing is an international program designed to educate the public about the effects of untreated hearing loss and the importance of making hearing testing part of the annual health regimen for Canadians over the age of 60. Initially established in Canada as The National Campaign for Better Hearing, the campaign has grown into an international movement with more than 11 countries participating.

"We were so thrilled to see such a great response to the National Campaign for Better Hearing in Canada and around the world," says Jillian Price, Chief Audiologist for HearingLife. "Hearing loss is a worldwide problem as is the ongoing issue of far too many people living with undiagnosed hearing loss and this is something that the campaign is trying to change. We want to help people understand what puts you at risk and the importance of establishing a baseline starting at age 60."

Almost half of Canadians over 60 have some form of hearing loss¹ and the impact extends far beyond the ears with significant emotional and social consequences. That's why the campaign challenges all Canadians to "Test Your Ears at 60 Years" and get hearing help quickly when a loss is identified.

Although not all hearing loss can be prevented, there are certainly daily actions Canadians can take to lower the risk of hearing loss in later life. By prioritizing hearing health in younger years and by avoiding noises that are too loud, too close or last too long, risks of hearing damage and loss can be significantly reduced.

In its fifth year, the Campaign for Better Hearing provides free tests for those ages 60 and over. For every test conducted by skilled hearing professionals at participating clinics across the country, a donation is made to the campaign's giveback program which provides new hearing aids for those who cannot afford them. The 2018 goal of $300,000 was surpassed and since the start of the campaign well over $1,000,000 has been raised—just through performing hearing tests. As a result, over 300 Canadians have received new hearing aids. The goal is to help even more Canadians hear better in 2019.

"The World Health Organization chose an important theme this year, since protecting and preventing hearing loss starts with a simple test," says Price. "Being proactive is key to maintaining healthy hearing.  It really is as simple as calling to make the appointment-no referral is required."

The campaign's goal in 2019 is to raise $300,000 for new hearing aids, representing 75,000 hearing tests. More than 200 local clinics are participating in the campaign and all have committed to donating $4.00 for every test, in order to provide hearing aids to those who cannot afford them. While the campaign is targeting Canadians ages 60 and over, HearingLife and its National Affiliated Partners will provide a free baseline hearing assessment to any adult, 18 or over – no referrals are required. The free hearing assessment and consultation can be completed in only 60 minutes. Visit CampaignForBetterHearing.ca or call 1-888-904-8742 to schedule your free test.

ABOUT HearingLife, part of Audika

500 million people worldwide suffer from hearing loss, some 3 million in Canada. It is HearingLife's ambition to help more people hear better. Hearing is quality of life and people deserve to reach their full hearing potential. That is what the hearing care professionals at HearingLife work for every day. HearingLife is part of a larger international group called Audika, a hearing care retailer that supports every kind of hearing loss from mild to severe across 21 countries. Headquartered in Denmark, Audika is part of the global group Demant with more than 13,000 employees and annual revenue of more than DKK 13 billion. Demant is a global group covering all areas of hearing healthcare: From diagnostic instruments and traditional hearing aids to cochlear implants and bone-anchored hearing solutions as well as various assistive listening devices. Please visit HearingLife.ca, Audikagroup.com or Demant.com for more information.

ABOUT WHO's WORLD HEARING DAY ON 3 MARCH

On World Hearing Day 2019, WHO will draw attention to the importance of early identification and intervention for hearing loss with the theme "Check your hearing!". Many people live with unidentified hearing loss, often failing to realize that they are missing out on certain sounds and words that lead to confusion and missunderstanding. Checking one's hearing would be the first step towards addressing the issue.

REFERENCES

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¹ CampaignForBetterHearing.ca/Research

SOURCE HearingLife