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Organization: The Audio-vestibular Unit, ENT department at the Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University
Title: Change mindsets: Empower yourself
Alternate tite:
Change mindsets: empower yourself
Description:
The Audio-vestibular Unit, ENT department at the Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University – a member of the World Hearing Forum – organized a celebration on the occasion of World Hearing Day, which is celebrated by the WHO yearly on the 3rd of March. The aim was to increase community awareness about hearing and audiology services and the available resources. The theme adopted the slogan of World Hearing Day 2025 (Change mindsets: Empower yourself).
* The celebration, hosted by Ain Shams Specialized Hospital, was held on Feb. 24th, just before the holy month of Ramadan. Attendees were more than 400 from different disciplines; audio-vestibular physicians, other medical professionals as pediatricians, occupational and community medicine physicians, employees in hospital administrative sections, parents of hearing-impaired children, and attendees from religious assemblies.
* The ceremony involved several sessions, educational material for safe listening, panel discussion on changing mindset, and educational session on the Hear WHO app together with the release of a public awareness booklet.
* The celebration started by words from the holy Quran recited by hearing-impaired girl, followed by welcome speeches from authorities of the hospital administration, vice Dean of Ain Shams university and head of otolaryngology and audiology departments. The WHO regional head quarter of the middle east Dr. Nima Saeed Abed gave a speech about the extent of the problem of hearing disability according to the latest statistics from the WHO. All speakers emphasized the goals of World Hearing Day in raising awareness of hearing loss and in changing the misconceptions starting with patients and families, other professionals, all the way to health authorities and decision-makers.
* There was an interactive and exciting panel discussion about the role of charity organization and civil society organizations in increasing awareness of hearing protection and support of the hearing-impaired. The discussion emphasized the need of increased cooperation frameworks between various parties for community education to preserve hearing and how can these groups help in services related to rehabilitation of hearing-impaired individuals especially children. Discussion also included comments of parents of hearing-impaired children about their needs and hopes for the future.
* There was another panel discussion which included representatives of religious organizations; namely, Al-Azhar and the Egyptian church, about the role of religious organizations in increasing awareness of a large sector of population and educational services they can provide.
* Activities of the day also included hearing screening for around 50 individuals. In addition, there was 15 mins presentation about the Hear WHO app on the smart phone; how to use the app and its outcome scores. A booklet written in Arabic with simple words was distributed to all attendees. This booklet was produced on this occasion by professionals of Audio-vestibular unit, ENT department Ain Shams University in cooperation with AmplifonMiddle east Company for Hearing Devices.
* Throughout the day, and at the end of the celebration, the audience enjoyed watching several entertainment sections performed by hearing-impaired children affiliated to / or graduated from / one of the preschool language-impaired rehabilitation centers. This included poetry, songs and dances.
Primary site: EMR – Egypt
General Photos
The dancing show that performed by hearing-impaired children
Panel discussion included representatives of religious men
WHO regional head quarter of the middle east Dr. Nima Abed
WHD Attendees of different disciplines
Types of Engagement:
Screening: Yes
Traditional media: No
Social media: Yes
Special needs populations:
Participation of policy makers: Yes
Participation of influencers: Yes