The World Health Organization’s (WHO) World Hearing Day, which raises awareness about preventing hearing loss and promoting hearing care, is fast approaching. This year’s theme, “Hear the Future,” focuses on strategies to prevent the expected increase in the number of people living with hearing loss.

On March 3rd, the WHO will highlight the following key messages:

• expected rise in prevalence of hearing loss globally over the coming years (based on statistical projections);
• efforts that are required to stem the rise through appropriate preventive action;
• need to ensure that people with hearing loss have access to the required rehabilitation services and the communication tools and products they require.

The National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH) says that in the U.S., some 48 million people have some degree of hearing loss out of one (or both) of their ears.

Once hearing loss is gone, you can’t get it back.

The NCEH is especially focused on educating young people about noise-induced hearing loss in order to help prevent it. The agency is using the word “Thunderclap” in this year's awareness campaign.

“We know that young people may not be aware of the risk of spending too much time around loud noises — so this World Hearing Day, we ask that you join us in our efforts to spread the word,” says the NCEH.

This #WorldHearingDay, learn how you can prevent hearing loss at: http://thndr.me/BXMs0X”

Support the NCEH’s “Thunderclap” campaign and help others protect their hearing. Choose “Support with Facebook” or “Support with Twitter” to join in on this message.

For more information and resources on noise-induced hearing loss, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/hearing_loss/default.html.

The NCEH is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). NCEH provides national leadership in prevention programs, global health, tests, and services related to environmental health. For more information, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/nceh.