Celebrate International Ear and Hearing Care Day
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Children from Atfaluna school in Gaza taking part in ‘Open day’ activities in cooperation with the Cannan Institute © ASDC
The International Ear and Hearing Care Day is celebrated annually on 3 March. The aim of this Day is to raise the awareness of the general public about hearing loss and ear diseases, and offer various possibilities for prevention through appropriate ear care.
Do you know why International Ear and Hearing Care is celebrated on March 3?
The choice of the date 3rd March is due to the shape of the numbers in 3.3, being representative of the two ears.
Designated in 2007, this day to raise awareness of hearing care and prevention of hearing loss has been observed and supported by partner organisations all over the world since.
Theme for the International Ear and Hearing Care Day 2015
This year, the theme chosen by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the celebration of the International Ear Care Day is “Make listening safe”. This initiative, promoted and supported by organisations like CBM, aims to address the lack of awareness regarding the possibilities for prevention of hearing loss induced by exposure to excessive noise, through the changing of lifestyle and the adoption of simple ear care measures.
How does CBM help make listening safe?
CBM contributes to making listening safe through the following steps:
1. Raising awareness regarding exposure to excessive noise as a major avoidable cause of permanent hearing loss worldwide.
2. Collaborating with advocacy activities for the promotion of:
• Use of noise-free incubators, or noise reduction measures at newborn care units
• Safe household and school environment for children (free of excessive noise)
• Reduction of environmental noise (law implementation and/or enforcement)
• Informed and rational exposure to recreational noise
• Safe environment at work through occupational health guidelines and policies
• Production of safe and affordable hearing devices and other sound instruments.
3. Encouraging a Public Health approach, including:
• Universal screening programmes for early detection of hearing loss
• Early intervention and education programmes
• Counselling and support services for persons exposed to excessive noise
• Adequate and affordable ear and hearing health services.
1. Raising awareness regarding exposure to excessive noise as a major avoidable cause of permanent hearing loss worldwide.
2. Collaborating with advocacy activities for the promotion of:
• Use of noise-free incubators, or noise reduction measures at newborn care units
• Safe household and school environment for children (free of excessive noise)
• Reduction of environmental noise (law implementation and/or enforcement)
• Informed and rational exposure to recreational noise
• Safe environment at work through occupational health guidelines and policies
• Production of safe and affordable hearing devices and other sound instruments.
3. Encouraging a Public Health approach, including:
• Universal screening programmes for early detection of hearing loss
• Early intervention and education programmes
• Counselling and support services for persons exposed to excessive noise
• Adequate and affordable ear and hearing health services.
Supporting children with hearing impairments in Gaza
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Abdulrahman (10) is pictured with a school friend. Abdulrahman is deaf and visually impaired. He has received counselling along with his family, and has participate in playgroup and therapeutic activities © ASDC
CBM Ireland is currently supporting a programme in the Gaza Strip to support deaf children and their families at Atfaluna School and Early Intervention Programme. This programme is supporting deaf children with counselling, playgroup and therapeutic activities, speech therapy and the provision of hearing aids.
Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children (ASDC) is a non-governmental organization established in the Gaza City in 1992 by women health-care and education professionals. The Society runs a school for 300 deaf children, aged between 3 and 17, who are enrolled in special education classes at Atfaluna School and Early Intervention Program.
The children come from all areas of the Gaza Strip including: the southern areas, Northern areas, Middle areas, and the Gaza City. The Society's social workers have identified children at-risk due to economic and social circumstances indicating the need for psycho-social support.
