Organization: 3M Japan Innovation Limited
Title: “Let’s make this an opportunity to think about taking care of our ears”
Al title (for format and translation – not permanent:
Let’s make this an opportunity to think about taking care of our ears.
Description:
At 3M’s Sagamihara site in Japan, a World Hearing Day event was held on March 3, 2026. The program included webinars led by the site’s occupational physician and a 3M hearing protection specialist, who explained ear structure and the mechanisms of hearing loss. A hearing aid company was also invited to share the latest information on hearing aids and to give a presentation on how to respond if a family member experiences hearing loss. At lunchtime, a special hearing-friendly menu was offered. In the afternoon, practical workshops on proper earplug fitting were held at several workplaces, with strong employee participation. The event also included stretching and exercise sessions designed to support the autonomic nervous system, promoting both physical and mental well-being. This initiative helped raise company-wide awareness of the importance of hearing conservation and supported efforts to protect employees’ hearing health.
Primary site: WPR – Japan
Region: WPR
Impactful Story:
People working in noisy environments learned how to wear earplugs correctly, and there were many conversations about the importance of protecting their hearing for the future. The event also helped them recognize that the effectiveness of protective equipment can vary depending on how it is worn.
General Photos
Types of Engagement:
Live event: Yes
Screening: No
Traditional media: No
Social media: No
Special needs populations: persons with disabilities (including hearing loss), workers in noisy environments
Met with individual policymaker: No
Participation of policy makers: No
Participation of influencers: No
WHO technical tool used: No
WHO educational and social media used: Yes