Organization: Jigme Dorji Wangchuk National Referral Hospital
Title: World Hearing Day Celebration in Bhutan: 2026
Al title (for format and translation – not permanent:
World Hearing Day celebration in Bhutan: 2026
Description:
Report on the Celebration of World Hearing Day in Bhutan
World Hearing Day is observed every year on 3rd March to promote ear and hearing care and raise awareness about hearing loss. In 2026, the global theme was “From Communities to Classrooms: Hearing Care for All Children.” The theme highlighted the importance of protecting and promoting hearing health among children and young people through awareness, education, and early intervention.
In Bhutan, World Hearing Day 2026 was celebrated at Apollo Institute of Nursing in Thimphu. The event was organized with the aim of educating nursing students about hearing health, the prevention of hearing loss, and the importance of early detection and timely management. The program brought together a dedicated team of health professionals including an otologist, an audiologist, and ENT technicians who conducted awareness sessions and hearing screening for the students.
The program began with an informative presentation by Dr. Tika Ram Adhikari, otologist, who spoke about the early detection of hearing loss. During his session, he emphasized the importance of identifying hearing problems at an early stage, especially among children. He explained that early detection allows timely treatment and helps prevent long term communication difficulties and developmental delays. He also discussed common causes of hearing problems such as infections, exposure to loud sounds, and untreated ear conditions. Students were encouraged to practice safe listening habits and to promote awareness in their communities. The session emphasized that many forms of hearing loss can be prevented through simple measures such as maintaining ear hygiene, seeking medical care for ear infections, and avoiding excessive noise exposure.
The next session was conducted by Mr. Pelden Wangchuk, Audiologist, who provided detailed information on hearing screening procedures. He explained how screening helps identify individuals who may have hearing difficulties and require further evaluation. The students were introduced to basic concepts of hearing assessment and the importance of regular screening programs, particularly for children and young adults. Mr. Wangchuk also conducted counselling sessions where students learned about hearing care practices and the importance of supporting individuals with hearing challenges.
An interactive question and answer session was led by Mr. Sonam Jamtsho, ENT Technician In-charge. Students actively participated by asking questions related to hearing health, screening methods, and the management of hearing problems. The interactive discussion allowed participants to gain practical knowledge and clarified many misconceptions regarding hearing loss.
Following the awareness sessions, hearing screening was conducted for the students by ENT technicians under the leadership of Mr. Sonam Jamtsho. The screening helped identify students who might require further evaluation and also demonstrated the practical aspects of hearing assessment.
The organizers expressed their sincere appreciation to several individuals and institutions whose support made the event possible. Special acknowledgement was given to Dr Santosh Mukhia, Head of the ENT Department, and Dr Umesh Pradhan, ENT Specialist, for their guidance and support. Gratitude was also extended to Ms Tenzin and Ms Sonam, Program Officers from the Disability Program, for their involvement in promoting hearing health initiatives. The team also thanked Mrs Deki Pemo, Dean of Apollo Institute of Nursing, for hosting the event and supporting the educational activities. Appreciation was further extended to Mr Phupay Gyeltshen from Zhenphen Hearing Center for his contribution to the hearing care program.
The celebration of World Hearing Day at Apollo Institute of Nursing was a meaningful and educational event. It successfully raised awareness among nursing students about the importance of hearing health and the role they can play in promoting early detection and prevention of hearing loss in their future professional practice.
Primary site: SEAR- Bhutan
Region: SEAR
General Photos
Dr.Tika Ram Adhikari, presenting prevention of hearing loss
Mr. Pelden Wangchuk, Presenting on hearing screening
Dr. Tika Ram Adhikari, presenting on world hearing day theme
ENT Technicians performing hearing screening among students
Types of Engagement:
Live event: Yes
Screening: Yes
Traditional media: No
Social media: Yes
Special needs populations: children and adolescents
Met with individual policymaker: Yes
Participation of policy makers: Yes
Participation of influencers: Yes
WHO technical tool used: Yes
WHO educational and social media used: No