World Hearing Day Webinar 2025
Empowering Hearing Healthcare in Special Education – A Malaysian Perspective

World Hearing Day (WHD) is observed annually on March 3rd to raise awareness about deafness and hearing loss, and to promote ear and hearing care worldwide. Each year, the World Health Organization (WHO) selects a theme and develops evidence-based advocacy materials. Over the past few years, an increasing number of Member States and organizations have participated in WHD by organizing various programs and events in their respective countries.

For WHD 2025, the WHO encourages individuals to recognize the importance of ear and hearing health. This campaign aims to inspire behavioral changes that promote good hearing health, such as preventing hearing loss from loud sounds, having regular hearing checks, using hearing devices when needed, and supporting those living with hearing loss. Empowered individuals can drive change within themselves and across society. In 2021, the WHO released the World Report on Hearing, highlighting the rising number of people living with or at risk of hearing loss.

WHD 2025 will also launch:
(i) the WHO-ITU Global Standard for Safe Listening in Video Game Play and Sports, and
(ii) a School Module on Smart Listening, to be included in educational programs.

The theme for WHD 2025 is: “Changing mindsets: Empower yourself to make ear and hearing care a reality for all!”

On March 20, 2025, the Audiology Programme of Universiti Sains Malaysia collaborated with the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Centre for Special Educational Needs (SEAMEO SEN) to organize a webinar titled Empowering Hearing Healthcare in Special Education – A Malaysian Perspective.

During this event, three keynote speakers were invited:

• Ms. Aw Cheu Lih (Audiology Lecturer, Universiti Sains Malaysia)

• Associate Prof. Dr. Rafidah Mazlan (Audiology Lecturer, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia)

• Ms. Nur Fatehah Mohd Shukri (Postgraduate Student, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia)

A total of 250 participants registered for the webinar, with the majority hailing from Malaysia and the Philippines. The webinar can still be accessed via the following link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3KSwOXn6Nw&t=5886s

According to the event director, Dr. Mohd Fadzil Nor bin Rashid,

"This initiative aims to foster collaboration between Universiti Sains Malaysia and SEAMEO SEN. The programme also serves as a conduit for knowledge exchange between the fields of hearing healthcare and special education."

We would like to express our gratitude and congratulations to the working committee of this programme, which includes members from the Audiology Programme, School of Health Sciences, Audiology Clinic Hospital USM, SEAMEO SEN, and all industry partners.