03/03/2026
Did you know? Around 430 million people worldwide — that’s more than the population of the U.S. and EU combined — live with disabling hearing loss, meaning their hearing is impaired enough that communication and daily life can be seriously affected. This figure comes from the World Health Organization (WHO).
The WHO explains that disabling hearing loss refers to a reduction in hearing greater than 35 decibels (dB) in the better-hearing ear — enough to make regular conversation difficult without support like hearing aids or cochlear implants.
As WHO puts it, “untreated hearing loss can have a devastating impact on people’s ability to communicate, to study and to earn a living.”
Let’s raise awareness — and remove barriers so that everyone has access to the care and technology they need.