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10/10/2015  |   3:15 PM - 4:00 PM   |  Andrew Foster Auditorium

Make Listening Safe: a global initiative for all

Concern is growing about the rising exposure to loud sounds in recreational settings. With the popularization of technology, devices such as music players are often listened to at unsafe volumes and for prolonged periods of time. It is estimated that over 1 billion young people worldwide could be at risk of hearing loss due to unsafe listening practices. Taking cognizance of this, WHO launched the Make Listening Safe initiative in March this year. Promoted as the theme of the World Hearing Day on 3 March 2015, this initiative has drawn global attention towards noise-induced hearing loss due to recreational exposure. Young individuals exposed to loud sounds can benefit through safe listening habits such as keeping the volume down; limiting time spent in noisy activities; monitoring safe listening levels; heeding the warning signs of hearing loss and getting regular hearing check-ups. Parents, teachers, physicians, managers of entertainment venues, manufacturers of personal audio devices and governments; all have a role to play in this endeavour. WHO is making efforts to engage with all stakeholders to reduce the risk of hearing loss through promotion of safe listening practices and safe listening devices. A standardized research protocol is being developed to facilitate research in this field. It is imperative that professionals, commercial and civic agencies unite to face this rising threat to hearing health.

• To inform the audience about WHO’s Make Listening Safe initiative.
• To raise awareness about the noise-induced hearing loss as a result of recreational exposure.

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Shelly Chada (India) (POC,Primary Presenter), TBD, TBD;
Shelly Chadha is a native of India. She was trained as an otolaryngologist at the University of Delhi, India and subsequently undertook doctoral studies in public health at the same university. Prior to joining WHO in 2011, she was working as a Professor of Otolaryngology at the Maulana Azad Medical College in New Delhi, India. Also, she served as a member of the national committee for development of National Programme for Prevention and Control of Deafness in India. She has long-standing experience in policy development for hearing care. She was closely associated with the development of the Sound Hearing 2030 initiative and served as an advisor to CBM. Shelly oversees WHO’s work on prevention of deafness and hearing loss including advocacy for prioritisation of hearing care; technical support to countries for development of hearing care strategies and development of tools and guidance.