World Hearing Day 2025: Experts Highlight Growing Concern Over Hearing Loss
New Delhi: World Hearing Day is observed annually on March 3rd to raise awareness about hearing loss and promotes ear care to prevent hearing-related disabilities.
This year’s theme, "Changing Mindsets: Empower Yourself to Make Ear and Hearing Care a Reality for All," focuses on encouraging individuals, communities, and health systems to take meaningful steps toward better ear and hearing health.
Hearing Loss: Growing Public Health Challenge
Speaking to Health Dialogues team, WHO SEARO Regional Director Saima Wazed said, "Over 1.5 billion people are affected globally, with nearly 80% living in low- and middle-income countries. An estimated 400 million people experience hearing problems in our South-East Asia Region alone - a number that could rise to 660 million by 2050 if current trends continue."
"These are not just statistics; they reflect real individuals whose lives, livelihoods, and well-being are deeply impacted. Unaddressed hearing loss has far-reaching consequences—influencing language development, education, employment, and mental health. However, many causes are preventable, and effective, cost-efficient interventions are available. Despite this, over 80% of ear and hearing care needs worldwide remain unmet. Bridging this gap must be a priority." she further stated.
Warning Signs of Hearing Loss
In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, emphasized the importance of early detection of hearing loss on World Hearing Day.
The Ministry has outlined four key warning signs that indicate possible hearing loss:
Health Ministry's post on Warning Signs of Hearing Loss
🔹 Ringing or buzzing in the ears (Tinnitus): A persistent ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound in the ears may signal early hearing impairment.
🔹 Muffled or distorted sound perception: Sounds may appear unclear or muffled, making it difficult to distinguish speech and background noise.
🔹 Difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments: Struggling to follow conversations in crowded places is a common symptom of hearing decline.
🔹 Increasing the volume to hear clearly: Frequently raising the volume on televisions, mobile phones, or other devices can indicate an underlying hearing issue.
Causes and Prevention of Hearing Loss
Speaking to Health Dialogues team, Dr Chandra Veer Singh, an ENT specialist and cochlear implant surgeon at Wockhardt Hospital, Mira Road, highlighted some common causes of hearing loss:
✔ Genetic condition
✔ Chronic ear infections
✔ Excessive exposure to loud noise
Preventive measures such as avoiding prolonged exposure to loud sounds, treating ear infections promptly, and undergoing regular hearing check-ups can significantly reduce the risk of hearing loss.
Early Detection: Key to Better Outcomes
Dr Singh also underscored the importance of early diagnosis and advanced treatment options for hearing loss.
He highlights the 1-2-3 protocol for newborn hearing screenings, which plays a crucial role in detecting hearing loss at an early stage:
✔ 1 – Initial hearing screening
✔ 2 – Confirmation of diagnosis (if needed)
✔ 3 – Early intervention and treatment
"Timely testing and intervention can prevent speech delays and other developmental challenges associated with untreated hearing loss," said Dr Singh.
Conclusion
World Hearing Day 2025 serves as a reminder of the importance of ear and hearing health. By recognizing early warning signs, adopting preventive measures, and seeking timely medical intervention, individuals can significantly reduce the impact of hearing loss.
As awareness grows, bridging the existing care gap and ensuring accessible hearing healthcare for all must remain a public health priority.
Rishika Verma is a graduate from Delhi University. She joined Medical Dialogues in 2023. Her interest lies in reporting health news, hospital updates, health updates, medical case studies, and advancements in healthcare, etc.