Global Connection Gala

Making Hearing Health a Priority

Thanks to our Sponsors!

Special Diplomatic Guests

Denmark

Vietnam

Tanzania

Ethiopia

Germany

Georgia

Peru

Hearing Loss is at the Core of Human

Development

Economics Education

Health

Hearing

Loss

Advances in the Treatment &

Prevention of Deafness• Introduction of Antibiotics

• Safe Chronic Ear Surgery

• Availability of Vaccinations

– (Rubella, Mumps, O.M. & Meningitis)

• Awareness & Prevention of Ototoxicity

• Regulation of Noise Exposure

• Rehabilitative Technology (cochlear implant)

• Improved Nutrition / Sanitation

• Improved Perinatal Care

Hearing loss remains major global health

problem….

• WHO estimates:– 360 million disabling hearing loss

– >80% in “third world” countries

– Lack accurate data (especially in remote poor areas)

– Wide variation across countries

• At risk populations– Children, Industrial workers, Elderly

• Number of Children affected?– Most common birth defect

• Hearing loss correlates w/ socioeconomic factors– Income, education, etc…

• Otitis media correlates with public health factors– Sanitation, nutrition, etc…

One half of all cases of hearing loss

are believed to be due to

preventable causes

• Otitis Media

• Noise Exposure

• Ototoxic Medications / Chemicals

• Perinatal Disease / Distress

• Rubella / Mumps / Meningitis

• Hereditary Factors

“…what is needed is political

commitment, encouraged by public

demand and nourished by a climate of

awareness and cooperation within the

international community.”

Sir John Wilson, Leeds International Conference

on the Prevention of Disability, 1991

Coalition for Global Hearing Health

Purpose

Advocate / Impact Policy• Make professional aware of existing policy

• Guidelines in various languages

• Consensus among professionals to advocate for improved policy

Encourage and Perpetuate Best Practices• Engaging recipients

Equip and Empower• Hearing healthcare professionals

• Families, patients, educators

World Health Organization ResourcesOffice for the Prevention of Deafness and Hearing Impairment

Staffed by Shelly Chadha, MD

Collect epidemiological data

Public Awareness

– March 3rd International Ear and Hearing Day

– “Make Listening Safe”

Technical Publications

– Training Manuals for Ear and Hearing Care

– Multi-country assessment of national capacity to provide hearing care

– Community-Based Rehabilitation: Promoting Ear and Hearing Care through CBR

– Guidelines for hearing aids and services for developing countries

– Report on Newborn and Infant Screening

– Otitis Media, Otoxicity, Noise Induced Hearing Loss

Progress report to the World Health Assembly May 2015

– Last WHA resolution on hearing loss was in 1995

World Health Organization Process

Agenda of World Health Assembly set by WHO Executive Board

Member States

Consideration of new WHA Resolution for 2017 is on the agenda for

Executive Board in May 2016

• Proposed by Panama, Russia and Dominican Republic

Please lobby your home countries to:

• Support a new WHA resolution

• Develop national plan / strategy

• Designate financial support for hearing loss

WHO Executive Board

• 1. ALBANIA 2013-2016

2. ANDORRA 2013-2016

3. ARGENTINA 2013-2016

4. AUSTRALIA 2012-2015

5. AZERBAIJAN 2012-2015

6. BELGIUM 2012-2015

7. BRAZIL 2013-2016

8. CHAD 2012-2015

9. CHINA 2014-2017

10. CROATIA 2012-2015

11. CUBA 2012-2015

12. DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA 2013-2016

13. DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO 2014-2017

14. EGYPT 2013-2016

15. ERITREA 2014-2017

WHO Executive Board

• 16. GAMBIA 2014-2017

17. IRAN (ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF) 2012-2015

18. JAPAN 2013-2016

19. KUWAIT 2014-2017

20. LEBANON 2012-2015

21. LIBERIA 2014-2017

22. LITHUANIA 2012-2015

23. MALAYSIA 2012-2015

24. MALDIVES 2012-2015

25. NAMIBIA 2013-2016

26. NEPAL 2014-2017

27. PANAMA 2012-2015

28. REPUBLIC OF KOREA 2013-2016

29. RUSSIAN FEDERATION 2014-2017

30. SAUDI ARABIA 2013-2016

31. SOUTH AFRICA 2013-2016

32. SURINAME 2013-2016

33. UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND 2014-2017

34. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 2014-2017

Consortium to Support WHO PositionWHO PDHI is externally funded through 2016

Consortium directed by Lady Jean Wilson

Funding Consortium Members:

• Hearing Conservation Council

• International Society of Audiology

• International Federation of Otolaryngological Societies

• Christoffen Blinden Mission

• American Academy of Otolaryngology – HNSF

• Coalition for Global Hearing Health

"Never doubt that a

small group of

thoughtful citizens can

change the world.

Indeed, it is the only

thing that ever has"

� Margaret Mead