(For Immediate Release) Friday, March 1, 2019, Ottawa- On World Hearing Day, the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association recognizes the critical theme of this year’s World Hearing Day: Check your hearing.
This theme will focus on: the importance of early identification and intervention for hearing loss. Many people live with unidentified hearing loss, often failing to realize that they are missing out on certain sounds and words. Checking one’s hearing would be the first step towards addressing the issue.
Christopher T. Sutton, National Executive Director of the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association says, “as a person who has lived with a profound hearing loss my whole life, I know first-hand the impact hearing loss has on one’s life. Hearing loss affects people in many ways. It impacts on a person’s ability to communicate, socialize, learn, work and enjoy life. Hearing loss contributes to poverty, social isolation and feelings of loneliness.” Sutton continues, “Raising awareness of hearing care and the importance of early identification is key.”
Myrtle Barrett, President of the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association, “the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association is working hard on behalf of Canadians living with a hearing loss and is on the forefront of educating government and the public about the impact of hearing.” Barrett continues to say, “people living with hearing loss should not feel they are alone as the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association is here to support you each step of the way with your hearing loss journey, and does so through a variety of programs and services we offer across Canada, including our Educational Conference and Tradeshow that will be held in Montreal, Quebec, May 28 – June 2, 2019.
The World Hearing Organization estimates that roughly 466 million people are living with hearing loss around the world and this is expected to grow to 900 million by 2050. In Canada, it is estimated that 1 in every 4 Canadians report having some degree of hearing loss and that hearing loss is the third most prevalent chronic health condition in older adults, after arthritis and heart disease. Today, hearing loss is no longer impacting just the older generation. Of the 466 million people with hearing loss, it is estimated that 34 million are children; this is up 360 million people from just five years ago. It is also estimated that untreated, disabling hearing loss in Canada costs approximately $20 billion Canadian each year.
World Hearing Day is held by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 3rd each year to raise awareness of how to prevent deafness and hearing loss and promote ear and hearing care across the world.
About the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association
The Canadian Hard of Hearing Association (CHHA) was established in 1982 and is Canada’s leading consumer advocacy organization representing the needs of the nearly 4-million people living with hearing loss. With a network across Canada, CHHA works cooperatively with professionals, service providers, government and provides life enhancing information, support and advocacy to ensure people with hearing loss are able to overcome barriers in all aspects of their lives.
CHHA has a global reputation in developing and delivering a wide range of initiatives that have challenged the status quo when working with people with hearing loss. As a leader in the sector CHHA is sought after to provide comments and feedback on various policy initiatives, identify best practices, develop and test technology, which in return has advanced the quality of life for people living with hearing loss.
To learn more about the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association, visit www.chha.ca
2019 CHHA Educational Conference and Trade Show
Learn more:
https://www.chha.ca/2019-conference-and-trade-show/
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For media inquiries, contact:
Christopher Sutton, Canadian Hard of Hearing Association Tel: 613-526-1584 Toll-Free: 1-800-263-8068 E-mail: csutton@chha.ca