Organization: Juiz de Fora World Hearing Day Organizing Committee
Title: World Hearing Day: Hearing Health for All Children – Advancing Pediatric Hearing Awareness in Juiz de Fora, Brazil
Al title (for format and translation – not permanent:
World Hearing Day: Hearing health for all children – advancing pediatric hearing awareness in Juiz de Fora, Brazil
Description:
In recognition of World Hearing Day 2026, this initiative promoted pediatric hearing health awareness in Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil, in alignment with this year’s theme, “From communities to classrooms: hearing care for all children.” The activity highlighted the essential relationship between hearing, language development, and academic performance, while advocating for structured hearing monitoring throughout childhood.
Brazil has made important progress in early detection through Law 12.303/2010, which mandates universal newborn hearing screening. However, not all hearing loss is present at birth. Some forms are progressive, late-onset, or acquired during childhood due to infections, recurrent otitis media, genetic factors, or other medical conditions. As a result, many children who pass neonatal screening do not undergo further hearing assessment during their school years.
Currently, Brazil does not have national legislation or standardized public policies requiring routine hearing screening within schools at enrollment or during primary education. In addition, there is a lack of comprehensive epidemiological data regarding the prevalence of hearing loss among school-aged children, which limits the development of evidence-based public health strategies targeted at this population.
This initiative sought to address these gaps through a combination of public education, professional engagement, and policy dialogue. Activities included a radio interview broadcast to the local community to raise awareness about pediatric hearing loss and its impact on learning outcomes. Educational leaflets were distributed to parents and caregivers, providing accessible information about warning signs of hearing difficulties, the importance of early evaluation, and available referral pathways.
Beyond community outreach, targeted conversations were also conducted with school directors in the city to discuss the importance of hearing evaluation at school entry and the potential role of schools in supporting early identification of hearing difficulties.
The initiative generated significant local visibility. In addition to the radio interview, the activity was featured in the region’s most widely accessed online news portal and shared across social media platforms, amplifying public awareness about pediatric hearing health.
News coverage:
https://www.acessa.com/cidade/2026/03/313259-medica-de-juiz-de-fora-mobiliza-acao-no-dia-mundial-da-audicao-com-foco-na-saude-auditiva-infantil.html
Social media outreach:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DVbfRV4ma8o/?igsh=MWZyb3E4NjN0cjZzMQ==
As a result of the initiative and the dialogue generated with educational stakeholders, discussions have begun with the municipality of Juiz de Fora regarding the potential development of municipal legislation that would require audiometric evaluation at the time of school enrollment. This proposal aims to strengthen early detection strategies and prevent avoidable learning difficulties related to undiagnosed hearing conditions.
Specific cases identified during community engagement may be referred to specialized outpatient clinics for comprehensive audiological and otolaryngological evaluation, ensuring continuity of care and appropriate management when needed.
The event was organized by Dr. Monik Assis Espíndula Mota, otolaryngologist, and Janine Guercio, speech-language pathologist, with the support of local otolaryngologists, audiologists, and hearing health sector partners.
By translating global recommendations into local action, this activity reinforces the message that hearing well supports better learning and equal opportunities for all children. Strengthening awareness, encouraging school-based dialogue, and promoting referral pathways are essential steps toward reducing disparities and ensuring that no child’s educational potential is limited by an undetected hearing condition.
Primary site: AMR – Brazil
Region: AMR
Impactful Story:
Following the World Hearing Day activities in Juiz de Fora, school director Luciana Miller, who works in early childhood education with children aged 1 to 6 years, participated in discussions about pediatric hearing health. After receiving educational materials and speaking with Dr. Monik Mota, she highlighted the importance of hearing for early learning and language development. She expressed strong support for the idea of requesting audiometric evaluation at the time of school enrollment, recognizing that early identification of hearing difficulties can help prevent avoidable learning challenges in young children.
General Photos
Local team supporting World Hearing Day 2026
World Hearing Day radio interview in Juiz de Fora
Community outreach on pediatric hearing awareness
Talking with parents about children’s hearing health
Types of Engagement:
Live event: Yes
Screening: No
Traditional media: Yes
Social media: Yes
Special needs populations: children and adolescents
Met with individual policymaker: Yes
Participation of policy makers: No
Participation of influencers: No
WHO technical tool used: No
WHO educational and social media used: No