Organization: Udito Italia
Title: World Hearing Day 2026 – Udito Italia
Al title (for format and translation – not permanent:
Hear-a-thon 2026
Description:
Udito Italia marked World Hearing Day, promoted by the World Health Organization (WHO), with a major awareness initiative, Hear-a-thon 2026, held on February 26th and 27th. Now in its eleventh year, the event has become a key milestone in Italy for raising awareness about hearing health.
The main event on February 27th was hosted at the Italian Parliament, reaffirming its role as a central platform for a national dialogue on hearing health. Over the two days, the primary focus was on launching a shared Agenda for school-based hearing screenings, an initiative designed to bring together institutions, the healthcare system, the education sector, and civil society. The ultimate goal is to strengthen prevention and facilitate the early diagnosis of hearing disorders in children.
Aligned with the WHO’s theme for World Hearing Day 2026, “From communities to schools: hearing care for all children”, the event highlighted the importance of a coordinated, integrated approach to prevention. Key priorities were discussed in the presence of representatives from the Ministry of Education and Merit, the Ministry of Health, and Members of Parliament. These officials also joined the newly established parliamentary intergroup, “Acoustic Wellbeing” (Benessere Acustico), introduced during the event. This marks a significant milestone as the first institutional body in Italy specifically dedicated to shaping hearing health policies.
The importance of hearing, especially in childhood, was further emphasized by the event’s distinguished ambassador, Paolo Fresu, one of Italy’s most internationally acclaimed musicians. Through a live trumpet performance, he reinforced the core message, highlighting how listening is not only central to the musical experience but also a key element of prevention and health awareness.
He was joined by journalist Luca Telese, who underscored the broader social impact of hearing health, stressing the need for accurate and accessible information alongside its medical relevance.
Earlier, on February 26th, the initiative opened with a day of collaborative sessions, bringing together leading experts across various thematic working groups. These sessions provided a crucial space for in-depth discussion and planning, leading to practical proposals and shared lines of action. The outcomes were incorporated into Udito Italia’s policy document (Quaderni 2026), which aims to strengthen the link between healthcare and education policies. Key topics included expanding school-based hearing screening programs, evaluating classroom acoustics, and developing shared protocols between healthcare professionals and educational institutions.
During the event, Udito Italia also launched a new awareness campaign, “La Patente del BuonSenso”, encouraging responsible everyday behaviors. The campaign highlights how proper sound awareness plays a crucial role not just in health, but also in personal safety, such as when driving.
Primary site: EUR – Italy
Region: EUR
General Photos
Greetings from the institutions at the Chamber of Deputies
Constitution of the inter-parlamentary group
Paolo Fresu playing during Hearing Day 2026
Ambassadors Luca Telese & Paolo Fresu during Hearing Day 26
Types of Engagement:
Live event: Yes
Screening: No
Traditional media: Yes
Social media: Yes
Special needs populations: persons with disabilities (including hearing loss), 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: Yes