WORLD HEARING DAY IS OBSERVED ON MARCH 3 EVERY YEAR, IT IS THE LARGEST GLOBAL AWARENESS CAMPAIGN ON EAR AND HEARING CARE THAT CALLS FOR ACTION TO ADDRESS HEARING LOSS. THIS YEAR’S THEME IS "EAR AND HEARING CARE FOR ALL!” LET’S MAKE IT A REALITY”.
World Hearing Day is observed on March 3 every year, it is the largest global awareness campaign on ear and hearing care that calls for action to address hearing loss. This year’s theme is "Ear and Hearing Care for all!” Let’s make it a Reality”.
This year’s observance aims at:
1. Promoting public health actions for ear and hearing care;
2. Stimulating intersectoral partnership for ear and hearing care.;
3. Heightening awareness on hearing loss and care at a national and community level and;
4. Encouraging behavior change towards healthy ear and hearing care practices.
Over 1.5 billion people around the world live with hearing loss of which nearly 430 million people live with disabling hearing loss. Hearing loss, if not addressed can lead to increased morbidity and cost $980 billion annually.
Hearing loss will rise considerably in coming decades due to changing population numbers, increasing exposure to risk factors such as recreational noise, as well as persistence of untreated ear conditions such as otitis media.
In Saint Lucia, approximately 1000 persons are screened annually at the hearing health clinics at the Wellness Centres and a significant number are seen through private means. In 2018, an estimated 700 people were found to have hearing impairment and in 2021, 420 persons. All children up to 5 years of age are screened routinely through the childhood developmental screenings at all Wellness Centres.
Hearing care and hearing loss were highlighted as a public health issue with the adoption of a World Health Assembly Resolution, on prevention of deafness and hearing loss during the World Health Assembly in 2017. This resolution calls upon Member States to undertake advocacy on this observance of World Hearing Day.
The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs wishes to highlight the importance of integrating ear and hearing care within primary care, as an essential component of universal health coverage.
During this year’s observance, the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs will participate in the launching of a new Ear and Hearing Health Manual. This manual developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) is a practical guide on preventing,
identifying, and managing hearing loss and common ear diseases that lead to hearing loss. It is intended mainly for health care workers at primary care level who provideservices to people at health facilities and in communities.
Additionally, our Ministry will work with the Ministry of Education, ENT Surgeons, Childhood Development and Guidance Centres, and other partners to raise the awareness of Ear and Hearing Care in St Lucia. Some of the activities include a panel discussion on ear and hearing health, broadcasting of messages through various media platforms. Screening of school age children at schools, screening of children with special needs, and screening for hearing loss in the adult population.
The Ministry of Health continues to offer free ear and hearing services at the Vieux Fort and Entrepot Wellness Centres. The Starkey after care program continues to provide support tomhundreds with hearing aid repairs, fittings and other care support.
We will continue to work closely with the private sector and the Childhood Development and Guidance Centre (CDGC) in promoting safe listening.
Please contact the Vieux-Fort Wellness Center or the Entrepot Wellness Center.
Let us all make safe listening and hearing care a priority in our personal activities and in our communities.
Thank You.