Organization: Universidade de Sorocaba
Title: From Communities to Classrooms: University Initiative for School Mobilization in Hearing Health
Al title (for format and translation – not permanent:
From communities to classrooms: University initiative for school mobilization in hearing health
Description:
In alignment with the World Hearing Day 2026 theme — “From communities to classrooms: hearing care for all children” — the University of Sorocaba (UNISO), Brazil, will conduct a university outreach initiative on March 3–4 in partnership with a municipal school serving approximately 900 students from grades 1 to 9.
The initiative aims to promote hearing health education, prevent hearing loss, and raise awareness about safe listening practices, including guidance activities for parents and teachers, thereby strengthening the connection between the university and the school community.
A giant ear exhibit will be installed in the school gymnasium, offering guided visits with age-appropriate explanations about ear anatomy and auditory system function. Following this immersive experience, students will participate in structured educational stations according to their age group.
Children from grades 1 to 4 will engage in a hands-on activity identifying and coloring the parts of the ear (outer, middle, and inner ear), combined with guidance on hearing care. Students up to grade 9 will participate in interactive hearing health games from Dangerous Decibels Brazil, available as a mobile app. Another station will provide individual counseling on safe headphone use through a sound-level measurement mannequin named “Foneca,” a replica of Jolene from the Dangerous Decibels program. This activity allows practical demonstration of safe and potentially harmful sound exposure levels.
Discussion circles will also be organized for parents and teachers, addressing hearing loss prevention, risks of recreational noise exposure, and strategies to support and include students with hearing loss in the school environment.
The initiative will be conducted by undergraduate students in Speech-Language and Hearing Sciences under faculty supervision, reinforcing evidence-based academic training through community engagement. Educational leaflets aligned with WHO campaign materials will be distributed.
By integrating health education, community participation, and academic training, this initiative contributes to global efforts to reduce preventable hearing loss, promote safe listening behaviors from early childhood, and support equitable access to hearing care in school settings, in line with WHO public health priorities.
Primary site: AMR – Brazil
Region: AMR
General Photos
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, older adults, rural or remote population, teachers and university students
Met with individual policymaker: Yes
Participation of policy makers: Yes
Participation of influencers: No
WHO technical tool used: Yes
WHO educational and social media used: No