The theme for World Hearing Day 2025 is “Changing Mindsets: Empower Yourself To Make Ear and Hearing Care A Reality for All!” Over 500 million people are expected to have disabling hearing loss which requiring rehabilitation by 2030 according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This year’s theme builds upon the previous year, we encourage individuals of all ages to empower themselves to ensure healthy ears and hearing for themselves and others. To encourage everyone in recognising the importance of ear and hearing health, we would like to share some key points to different groups of the target audience. 

Older adults and people with hearing loss 

Hearing loss is one of the common health conditions of ageing in older adults. According to WHO fact sheet, the prevalence of disabling hearing loss increases exponentially with age, rising from 15.4% among elderly aged in their 60s, to 58.2% among elderly aged 90 years over. Untreated hearing loss may be responsible for over 8% of dementia cases among elderly because it might result in cognitive decline through reduced cognitive stimulation. Therefore, hearing health is essential for overall well-being. Older adults should have a regular hearing test as part of their annual health check up as seeing that hearing loss is a modifiable risk factor of dementia. For people with hearing loss, early identification and access to timely rehabilitation are essential in achieving their highest potential. They should get a hearing test with an audiologist and receive a prescription of hearing aids tailored to their unique listening needs and preferences. Otherwise, hearing loss can affect them in many ways such as social isolation, frustration, depression and reduced self-esteem. 

Adolescents, young adults and gaming enthusiasts 

With video gaming, wireless earbuds and concerts rising in popularity, over 1 billion young adults face the risk of irreversible hearing loss due to unsafe listening practices. The loud sound that they are exposed to carries high energy in the form of vibration and travels into the ears, consequently causing permanent damage to the hearing organ. Therefore, it is important to practice safe listening by reducing the volume and time spent in gaming, using earplugs in concerts and moving away from noisy environments. They can get a consultation with an audiologist to select the most suitable hearing protection devices based on their concern. By doing so, they can protect their hearing against the avoidable noise induced hearing loss. 

Parent, teacher and school children 

Hearing loss happens to people of all ages including newborns and young children. Parents should ensure that their babies undergo newborn hearing screening as it is the first step toward early identification of hearing loss. When the children grow up, parents should bring their children to get an evaluation with an audiologist if they suspect their children have any amount of hearing loss. Remember, any parental concern about hearing loss should be taken seriously because unaddressed hearing loss can impede speech and language development as well as educational performance. And as a teacher, they spend more time with people's children at school than their parents spend with their children. If they notice any of the school children is showing symptoms of hearing loss, they should pay attention to it and provide a proper referral to facilitate a timely intervention. 

We hope to inspire all individuals to change behaviours and mindsets towards ear and hearing care as we strongly believe empowered individuals can drive change within themselves and in society at large. Unlocking a world of sound now with 20dB Hearing, book an appointment with us and together we empower ourselves to make ear and hearing care a reality for all! 

Chin Siew Yiing, Clinical Audiologist at 20dB Hearing