March is Hearing Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about hearing health and its impact on overall well-being. The month kicks off with World Hearing Day on the 3rd of March, an initiative led by the World Health Organization (WHO) to promote ear and hearing care globally.
This year, the WHO challenges us with the theme ‘Changing mindsets: Empower yourself to make ear and hearing care a reality for all!’, encouraging individuals and communities to address misconceptions about hearing loss and break down barriers that prevent people from seeking the hearing care they need.
This Hearing Awareness Month, get to know the facts about hearing loss:
Hearing loss often develops gradually, making it difficult to notice early on. Some common signs of hearing loss include:
If you or someone you know is experiencing these signs, it may be time to prioritise your hearing health and book a free hearing check.
Hearing loss affects 1 in 6 New Zealanders, yet many wait a long time to address it.1 Identifying changes early can improve outcomes and reduce the risk of long-term complications. If you or a loved one struggle to hear conversations, ask people to repeat themselves often, or notice other signs of hearing difficulty, it may be time to seek support. A caring, open conversation can encourage action toward better hearing health.
For more information about hearing health, explore our resources on:
Find more about Hearing Awareness Month at the National Foundation for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing, or head to the World Health Organisation (WHO) to learn about World Hearing Day on March 3rd.
1Deloitte Access Economics. (2016). The economic impact and cost of hearing loss in New Zealand (p. 9). The National Foundation for the Deaf.
2World Health Organization. (2024, February 1). Deafness. World Health Organization. Retrieved January 31, 2025, from https://www.who.int/news-room/facts-in-pictures/detail/deafness
3Livingston, G., Huntley, J., Sommerlad, A., et al. (2020). Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2020 report of the Lancet Commission. The Lancet, 396(10248), 413–446. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30367-6
4World Health Organization. (n.d.). Deafness and hearing loss. World Health Organization. Retrieved January 31, 2025, from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/deafness-and-hearing-loss
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