Hearing Awareness Month 2025: Make Your World Sound Better

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 affects an estimated 1,000,000 New Zealanders.¹
• Worldwide, nearly 1 in 4 people over 60 are affected by disabling hearing loss.²
• Of those who could benefit from hearing aids, only 17% actually use them.²
• Hearing loss can be a risk factor for developing dementia but studies show that treating hearing loss can help prevent or slow down age-related cognitive decline and dementia.³
• Globally, more than 1 billion people aged 12-35 are at risk of noise-related hearing loss.²
• It's estimated that by 2050, nearly 30% of the world population will have some degree of hearing loss, and at least 700 million people will require rehabilitation.⁴

Hearing loss often develops gradually, making it difficult to notice early on. Some common signs of hearing loss include:

• Difficulty understanding speech, especially in noisy environments.
• Feeling like others are mumbling or speaking too softly.
• Frequently asking people to repeat themselves.
• Turning up the volume on devices higher than others find comfortable.
• Experiencing ringing or buzzing in the ears (tinnitus).

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 is essential for communication, relationships, and overall well-being. Untreated hearing loss can lead to social isolation, mental health challenges, and even cognitive decline. Early intervention helps prevent complications and supports a better quality of life. Booking a free hearing check is a simple, proactive step toward maintaining good hearing health.

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.

Discussing hearing loss with a loved one can be challenging, especially if they are unaware or reluctant to acknowledge changes in their hearing. Here are some ways to approach the conversation:

• Choose a comfortable and private setting to talk.
• Express concern and support rather than criticism.
• Share observations and specific instances where hearing difficulty was noticeable.
• Encourage them to seek professional advice as a proactive step toward better hearing health.

Many individuals face barriers that prevent them from seeking hearing care, such as cost, stigma, and lack of awareness. Here are some ways to overcome these obstacles:

Affordability: Take advantage of hearing aid funding options like subsidies, insurance, or interest-free payment plans available at Bay Audiology.

Stigma: Understand that hearing loss is a medical condition, not a personal failing. Seeking treatment is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Access: With over 120 Bay Audiology clinics nationwide, accessing hearing health services has never been easier.

By overcoming these barriers, you can take control of your hearing health and enjoy a better quality of life.

If you are worried about your hearing, or that of a loved one, book an appointment with one of our specialists today to check your hearing health. At Bay Audiology, we are here to help determine which type of hearing loss you have, how it was caused, and what can be done to help.

For more information about hearing health, explore our resources on:

• Signs and symptoms of hearing loss.
• Prevention strategies and hearing protection.
• Different types of hearing loss and treatment options.

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