Organization: EFHOH and AEA (European Federation of Hard of Hearing People & European Association of Hearing Aid Professionals
Title: Hear the Future: Breaking Barriers for an EU Strategy on Hearing Loss
Al title (for format and translation – not permanent:
Hear the future: breaking barriers for an EU strategy on hearing loss
Description:
Hear the Future: Breaking Barriers for an EU Strategy on Hearing Loss
Hosted by MEP Katrin Langensiepen
With the co-organisation of the European Federation of Hard of Hearing People (EFHOH) and the European Association of Hearing Aid Professionals (AEA).
Date: 04 March 2026 – Time: 14:00 – 17:00 CET
Format: On site
Location: European Parliament, Brussels
Rooms:
– Audiometry Tests (14:00-15:00): Altiero Spinelli 08E168
– Event (15:00-17:00): Altiero Spinelli 5E1
Accessibility: Real-Time Human Captioning; Audio Induction Loop.
Hearing loss can affect individuals at any stage of life, from early childhood and adolescence to working age and older adulthood. The challenges faced by people with hearing loss differ across the lifespan, and policies and accommodations must reflect these age-specific needs, addressing the diverse conditions, barriers, and goals experienced by hard of hearing individuals.
Following the commemoration of the World Hearing Day, the event “Hear the Future: Breaking Barriers for an EU Strategy on Hearing Loss” brings together lived experience, professional expertise, and policy perspectives to emphasize the urgent need for a coordinated EU Strategy on Hearing Loss, one that fosters early detection, accessibility, inclusion and equal opportunities for persons with hearing loss at every stage of life.
Agenda:
14:00 – 15:00 Audiometry Tests Room: Altiero Spinelli 08E168
15:00 – 17:00 Hear the Future: Breaking Barriers for an EU Strategy on Hearing Loss Room: Altiero Spinelli 5E1
* Opening remarks – MEP Katrin Langensiepen
* My personal story: from school to employment – Nicole Sophie Marinos, Disability Advocate, AHEAD
* Hard of hearing role models and career development among young adults – Jonathan Elebjörk Wahlström, General Secretary, Unga Hörselskadade
* Lessons from a global action for hearing loss: the strategy of the WHO – Shelly Chadha, Team Lead of Hearing Health, World Health Organization
* Managing Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants in the workplace – Jiska Peeters, Staff Member, Communications and Marketing Department, Thomas More University
* Breaking barriers: hearing loss, hearing care and empowerment to be successful at work
Mark Laureyns, President, AEA
* Why an EU Strategy on Hearing Loss is urgent – Lidia Best, President, EFHOH
* Questions, Answers & Conclusions – Moderation: Henrique Raskin, Head of Secretariat, EFHOH
Primary site: EUR – _Throughout the Euopean Region
Region: EUR
General Photos
Hear the future in the EP announcement poster
Types of Engagement:
Live event: Yes
Screening: Yes
Traditional media: Yes
Social media: Yes
Special needs populations: persons with disabilities (including hearing loss), children and adolescents, older adults
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