FARMINGTON HILLS, MI – March 5, 2024 – The International Hearing Society (IHS) celebrated World Hearing Day (WHD) on Friday, March 1, 2024, at its newly opened world headquarters in Michigan. Several local dignitaries and representatives attended the mid-day event, including Farmington Hills Mayor Theresa Rich, IHS President Patrick Kochanowski, BS, ACA, BC-HIS, Farmington Hills Economic Development Director Cristia Brockway, and U.S. Senator Gary Peters’ Regional Representative Robin Daniels. IHS, in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), shared information about the vital role that hearing plays in overall health and the important work that IHS members are doing to help more people hear better around the world.
Participants engaged with local hearing aid specialists, Michigan Alliance of Hearing Care Professionals President Terry Ozog, BS, and Hillary Wright, BC-HIS, who gave their time to answer questions and share how individuals can address hearing concerns. Attendees learned about the profession of Hearing Aid Specialist and were shown what IHS is doing to support and expand the profession. IHS also showcased IHS Consumer Awareness and WHO promotional materials and invited visitors and staff to note their favorite sounds and what they are doing to “change mindsets about hearing care,” the theme of 2024’s World Hearing Forum’s World Hearing Day.
The result? In addition to celebrating World Hearing Day with 27 local individuals at the event, IHS public relations efforts regarding World Hearing Day drew 2,756 individuals to the IHS website and 358 media outlets covered the news. IHS President Kochanowski said, “IHS members are receiving recognition as an excellent pathway to better hearing through events and campaigns like World Hearing Day. I am proud to partner with World Health Organization to help share the message that hearing care is a vital component of overall healthcare. That IHS is newly based in a community like Farmington Hills, Michigan, that supports and promotes health and wellness, is a bright indicator that we relocated our world headquarters to the perfect location. If you are in need of a hearing aid specialist near you to determine whether you have hearing loss or hearing aids may be helpful, visit www.ihsinfo.org to learn more.”
Farmington Hills Mayor Theresa Rich addressed the IHS team, “Farmington Hills is a community that places high value on addressing mental health issues, while recognizing the impact hearing plays in one’s overall health. I look forward to collaborating with the International Hearing Society in future endeavors to raise awareness of hearing healthcare in Farmington Hills and the important work your members are doing around the world to promote hearing and overall health. Thank you for selecting Farmington Hills, Michigan, as the home for the IHS world headquarters.”
World Health Organization Global Key Facts
- By 2050, nearly 2.5 billion people are projected to have some degree of hearing loss, and at least 700 million will require hearing rehabilitation.
- Over 1 billion young adults are at risk of permanent, avoidable hearing loss due to unsafe listening practices.
- An annual additional investment of less than US$ 1.40 per person is needed to scale up ear and hearing care services globally.
- Over a 10-year period, the above investment promises a return of nearly US$ 16 for every US dollar invested.
- Over 5% of the world’s population – or 430 million people – require rehabilitation to address their disabling hearing loss (including 34 million children).
- It is estimated that by 2050 over 700 million people – or 1 in every 10 people – will have disabling hearing loss.
U.S. STATISTICS: Check out these statistics from the National Council on Aging 2 and move into action to enhance and protect your hearing today!
- Hearing loss affects about 60.7 million Americans aged 12 and older.
- About 15.5% (44.1 million) of American adults aged 20 and older have some level of hearing loss.
- Of people aged 65 and older, 31.1% experience hearing loss, while 40.3% of adults aged 75 and older experience hearing loss.
- Around the world, about 70 million people are deaf (complete hearing loss).
- Studies show approximately 28.8 million American adults could significantly benefit from wearing a hearing aid.
- Only 16% of people aged 20–69 have ever used a hearing aid, while just 30% of those aged 70 and above have done so.
- Hearing loss is on the rise in the United States and is expected to almost double by the year 2060.
- Our hearing ability can greatly impact our health.
- Hearing loss is currently the third-leading chronic health condition in the United States and cases are rapidly increasing.
NOTE: World Hearing Day is officially held on March 3 each year.
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About the International Hearing Society
The International Hearing Society (IHS) is a membership association that represents hearing healthcare professionals worldwide, including hearing aid specialists. IHS members are engaged in the practice of performing hearing assessments, selecting, fitting, and dispensing hearing instruments, counseling patients, and providing aftercare services. Founded in 1951, IHS protects, represents, and promotes the interests of hearing healthcare and hearing healthcare professionals. For more information visit www.ihsinfo.org.
1. Deafness and hearing loss (who.int)
2. Hearing Loss Statistics 2024: More Common Than You Might Think (ncoa.org)
Farmington Hills Mayor Theresa Rich (center) stands with IHS President Patrick Kochanowski, BS, ACA, BC-HIS, and IHS staff on March 1, 2024, in the Signia Conference and Learning Center at the newly opened IHS world headquarters.
Farmington Hills Mayor Theresa Rich addresses IHS staff at IHS World Headquarters.
IHS President Patrick Kochanowski, BS, ACA, BC-HIS; Hillary Wright, BC-HIS; and Michigan Alliance of Hearing Care Professionals President Terry Ozog; at the world headquarters of International Hearing Society during World Hearing Day.
