WORLD HEARING DAY
World Hearing Day is observed every year on March 3rd as an initiative by the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise awareness about hearing loss and promote hearing care. The theme for 2025 is “Changing Mindset: Empower Yourself to Make Ear and Hearing Care a Reality for All.”
According to WHO, over 1.5 billion people live with some degree of hearing impairment, and this number is expected to rise to 2.5 billion by 2050. While some types of hearing loss are treatable, others—especially those caused by human activities—are often irreversible. This makes it crucial to understand and prevent hearing loss, as it can significantly impact education, employment, and overall quality of life.
A major cause of hearing loss in the younger generation is the excessive use of earphones, leading to sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). This condition occurs due to damage to the inner ear (cochlea) and, unlike conductive hearing loss, is permanent. Two primary factors contribute to this issue: excessive earphone use at high volumes and exposure to noise pollution.
Listening to audio above 85 decibels (dB) for prolonged periods can damage the delicate hair cells in the cochlea. Studies indicate that many teenagers use earphones for more than two hours daily, often at unsafe volume levels. Unfortunately, many are unaware of the long-term consequences until it is too late.
At GMC Anantnag, nearly 5 to 10 young patients—mostly school and college students—visit daily with hearing-related issues like tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and otalgia (ear pain), often linked to prolonged earphone use. A common observation in clinical practice is that if we use earphones for long today, we may need hearing aids later. To prevent hearing impairment, WHO recommends following the “60/60 Rule,” this means listening at no more than 60% volume for no longer than 60 minutes at a time.
Another major factor contributing to hearing loss is noise pollution, especially in urban areas. Sources like traffic, construction, nightclubs, and factories expose people to harmful noise levels, leading to Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL). This type of hearing loss often goes unnoticed in its early stages, making detection difficult until significant damage has already occurred.
WHO data suggests that 1.1 billion young people worldwide are at risk of hearing loss due to unsafe listening practices and noise pollution. Governments must take strict measures to control noise pollution, and awareness campaigns must be intensified to protect public health.
Another critical area of hearing care is early detection of hearing loss in newborns. Undiagnosed hearing impairment can severely affect a child’s speech, language development, and cognitive abilities. Neonatal hearing screening is a simple, non-invasive test conducted within the first few days of life to identify hearing impairments. Early detection allows for timely interventions such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, or speech therapy, significantly improving outcomes. Approximately 1 to 3 out of every 1,000 newborns have congenital hearing loss, but without screening, many cases remain undiagnosed until the child is 2-3 years old, delaying critical intervention.
While many countries have implemented Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS) programs, gaps remain—especially in low- and middle-income countries. Expanding access to screening must be a priority for global health organizations.
World Hearing Day 2025 serves as a crucial reminder of the growing burden of hearing loss, especially among the youth, and the importance of early detection through neonatal hearing screening. By addressing the root causes of hearing loss, promoting safe listening habits, and ensuring early intervention, we can protect future generations.
Let us join hands to raise awareness, advocate for change, and ensure hearing care is accessible to all.
(Dr. Aamir Yousuf is the Head of the Department of ENT at GMC Anantnag, and Younus Rashid is a reporter at Rising Kashmir. For suggestions and feedback, please reach out at [email protected])
