"Hearing loss has often been referred to as an “invisible disability”, not just because of the lack of visible symptoms, but because it has long been stigmatized in communities and ignored by policy-makers."

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
WHO Director-General

Key messages

Globally, over 80% of ear and hearing care needs remain unmet.
Unaddressed hearing loss poses an annual cost of nearly US$1 trillion globally.
Deeply ingrained societal misperceptions and stigmatizing mindsets are key factors that limit efforts for preventing and addressing hearing loss.
Changing mindsets related to ear and hearing care is crucial to improving access and mitigating the cost of unaddressed hearing loss.

*WHO estimates that unaddressed hearing loss poses an annual cost of $980 billion each year. This is the cost incurred due to the impact of hearing loss without rehabilitation access, including productivity losses and social exclusion.

World Hearing Day 2024 will be observed with the following objectives:

Counter the common misperceptions related to ear and hearing problems in communities and among health care providers.

Provide accurate and evidence-based information to change public perceptions of ear and hearing problems.

Call on countries and civil society to address misperceptions and stigmatizing mindsets related to hearing loss, as a crucial step towards ensuring equitable access to ear and hearing care.