Organization: TNAI
Title: WORLD HEARING DAY 2026
Al title (for format and translation – not permanent:
World Hearing Day 2026
Description:
To mark World Hearing Day, a community-based hearing health awareness initiative is planned in rural areas of Jalandhar district, Punjab, India, with a special focus on government schools. The event aims to promote ear and hearing care awareness among school teachers and students, who play a crucial role in early identification, prevention, and promotion of safe listening practices.
The initiative will include interactive workshops designed separately for teachers and students. For teachers, the sessions will focus on understanding the basics of hearing health, common ear problems in children, early signs of hearing loss, and the importance of timely referral to healthcare services. Teachers will also be educated on how classroom noise, prolonged exposure to loud sounds, and untreated ear infections can affect a child’s learning and overall development. Practical guidance will be provided on creating a hearing-friendly classroom environment and supporting children who may have hearing difficulties.
Student workshops will be age-appropriate and interactive, using simple language, visual aids, and demonstrations. Key topics will include the importance of hearing, safe listening habits, prevention of noise-induced hearing loss, and basic ear-care practices. Students will be educated about harmful listening behaviors such as high-volume headphone use, prolonged exposure to loud music, and inserting objects into the ear. Emphasis will be placed on protective behaviors, including keeping volume levels safe, taking listening breaks, and seeking help in case of ear pain, discharge, or hearing difficulty.
The sessions will also address common myths related to ear care and promote correct practices, such as avoiding the use of sharp objects or cotton buds inside the ear. Information will be shared on maintaining ear hygiene and recognizing early warning signs that require medical attention. Question-and-answer sessions will be encouraged to ensure active participation and better understanding.
In addition to workshops, informational materials such as posters and handouts will be distributed in schools to reinforce key messages and ensure continued awareness beyond the event. These materials will be designed to be culturally appropriate and easily understandable for rural populations.
This initiative aligns with the goals of World Hearing Day by emphasizing prevention, early identification, and awareness of hearing loss. By targeting government schools in rural areas, the program aims to reach underserved populations who may have limited access to hearing health information and services. The long-term goal is to empower teachers and students with knowledge and skills that contribute to healthier hearing behaviors, early reporting of hearing problems, and reduced burden of preventable hearing loss in the community.
Primary site: SEAR- India
Region: SEAR
Secondary sites:INDIA
Impactful Story:
During the World Hearing Day activities conducted in a government school in rural Jalandhar, a class teacher recognized early signs of hearing difficulty in a student after attending the awareness workshop. The student was frequently inattentive and struggling academically. Following guidance from the session, the teacher informed the parents and encouraged medical evaluation. The child was diagnosed with an ear infection and received timely treatment. After intervention, the student’s hearing improved, classroom participation increased, and academic performance showed positive change. This experience highlighted the importance of teacher awareness and early identification in preventing long-term hearing-related challenges.
General Photos
Types of Engagement:
Live event: No
Screening: Yes
Traditional media: Yes
Social media: No
Special needs populations: children and adolescents, rural or remote population
Met with individual policymaker: No
Participation of policy makers: No
Participation of influencers: No
WHO technical tool used: Yes
WHO educational and social media used: Yes