World Hearing Day Campaign Highlights the Importance of Hearing in Life's Great Moment's

• There are moments in life when hearing matters; but there are moments when hearing is everything 
• Over 5% of the world’s population are currently living with disabling hearing loss

Dubai, UAE, 02 March 2017:  The World Health Organization marks the 3rd of March of every year, as the World Hearing Day. This day is meant to raise awareness and promote ear and hearing care around the world. MED-EL Medical Electronics, the leading provider of hearing implant solutions in the Middle East, is supporting this year's world hearing day by announcing a global campaign to highlight the significance of hearing in one's life.  The campaign film "Moment of Silence," has been launched to show that while there are moments in life when hearing matters; there are some when hearing is everything, with once in a lifetime sounds that no one should have to miss. 

In reality, hearing loss affects the day-to-day lives and experiences of over 5% of the world’s population, with 360 million people currently living with disabling hearing loss.  In the UAE, it is estimated that hearing loss affects approximately 4% of the population.  Not to mention the growing number of undiagnosed people, who are still unaware of their hearing loss issues.  These numbers speak volume regarding the need for better awareness, stronger endorsements and active advocacies for hearing loss.  

Dr. Ingeborg Hochmair, MED-EL CEO, comments, “Hearing empowers us, it enriches our lives, and we have come a long way in enabling more people to overcome hearing loss as a barrier to communication. However, there is more to be done, particularly to improve global access to and awareness of the full range of hearing solutions available to people living with hearing loss. Science and technology has been at the forefront of MED-EL’s commitment to people with hearing loss since day one, and we are dedicated to continuing to raise awareness of this growing issue and encouraging people to protect their invaluable sense of hearing."

Notably, this year’s theme for World Hearing Day is ‘Action for hearing loss: make a sound investment’, highlighting the impact of hearing loss on both individuals and society, while drawing attention to different interventions to address it. 

The World Health Organization estimates the financial cost of hearing loss to be 750 billion US dollars  every year , but the cost is also personal and contributes to an individual’s overall health. Untreated hearing loss affects communication and can lead to social isolation, anxiety, depression and cognitive decline.3 

“People living in a silence caused by their untreated hearing loss could often find themselves unfamiliar with some of life's most valued moments. Firming their sense of societal exclusion at times”, said David Raetz, Regional Director, and CEO Middle East “Regrettably, there is lots of misinformation and misperception about hearing loss, and mainly about available treatments of hearing loss.  And we continue to emphasize that early identification, followed by appropriate diagnosis and intervention, as well as recognising the importance of a proper hearing solution in reaching the desired benefits.”