World Hearing Day is held on 3 March each year to raise awareness on how to prevent hearing loss and promote ear and hearing care across the world. This year the World Health Organisation has decided upon the theme 'Hearing care for all!' to raise awareness of how hearing loss can be prevented through protection against loud sounds, good ear-care practices and immunisation. Hearing can also be rehabilitated, if caught early and appropriate care and treatment is sought. World Hearing Day serves as a reminder to all that are at risk of hearing loss to make sure that they attend regular hearing checks with a health care provider.

In conjunction with the charity Sense, the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is supporting World Hearing Day throughout the month of March. So expect to hear lots from us on the subject of hearing loss, sign language, accessibility, isolation and much more.

Face mask exemption

1 in 6 people in the UK have a hearing impairment, that's a lot of people that rely on some degree of lip reading to communicate with the world around them. The mandatory wearing of face masks in all indoor public spaces has made it almost impossible for those that rely on lip reading and has left people feeling shut off from society. We as an organisation continue to support face mask exemption for those that have hearing impairments and rely on lip reading. If this is you, there are cards available here, to hang from your lanyard and help resolve any challenges you may experience when using public transport or entering indoor public spaces, such as shops.

During the month of March, we will donate the proceeds from every Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Hearing Loss card and Hearing Loss Make it yours Sunflower cards that are purchased from our online store to the charity Sense.

 

More about Sense

For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deaf-blind. Sense is there to help people communicate and experience the World around them. They believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential.

The Global pandemic has left us all feeling isolated and lonely. Now imagine how these feelings would be magnified if you had a hearing or visual impairment, or both. Communicating with the outside world via Zoom or on the telephone would be a much greater challenge.

As we emerge from lockdown, thousands of people with disabilities still face loneliness and isolation every day.

Through their campaign 'Left Out of Life' Sense are calling for more investment in services to tackle loneliness and offer mental health support for disabled people.

You can help Sense by signing their Left Out of Life pledge – let's work together, towards making society more inclusive.

Sign the pledge