On World Hearing Day 2022, WHO will focus on the importance of safe listening as a means of maintaining good hearing across the life course. In 2021, WHO launched the World report on hearing that highlighted the increasing number of people living with and at risk of hearing loss. It highlighted noise control as one of the seven key H.E.A.R.I.N.G. interventions and stressed the importance of mitigating exposure to loud sounds.

The World Hearing Day 2022 with the theme “To hear for life, listen with care” will focus on the importance and means of hearing loss prevention through safe listening, with the following key messages:
  • It is possible to have good hearing across the life course through ear and hearing care​
  • Many common causes of hearing loss can be prevented, including hearing loss caused by exposure to loud sounds​
  • ‘Safe listening’ can mitigate the risk of hearing loss associated with recreational sound exposure​
  • WHO calls upon governments, industry partners and civil society to raise awareness for and implement evidence-based standards that promote safe listening