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