About World Hearing Day
The World Health Organization (WHO) World Hearing Day is an annual advocacy event held on 3 March each year to raise awareness on how to prevent hearing loss and promote ear and hearing care across the world. It has been organized since 2007 and was first introduced in Beijing, China.
Since 2013, EFHOH in co-operation with EHIMA and AEA has annually organized a Lunch Debate in the European Parliament especially aimed at MEPs and national policymakers in Europe. The event has been hosted by MEPs such as Helga Stevens (Belgium), Katrin Langensiepen (Germany), Ádám Kósa (Hungary), and Roberta Metsola (Malta).
2026
The 2026 edition of the Lunch Debate World Hearing Day 2026, was held online with the theme “From school to workplace” and explored hearing loss and hearing care across the life course, with a focus on the transition from education to employment, job retention, empowerment and inclusive workplaces.
In total, 143 participants from 33 countries around the globe registered for this year’s virtual lunch debate.
Below, please find all recorded presentations.
Welcome – MEP Katrin Langensiepen
WHO World Hearing Day 2026 theme – Shelly Chadha & Shirin Kiani – WHO
My story: From the school to employment – Nicole Sophie Marinos – AHEAD
The role of hearing health in employment and job retention – Stefan Zimmer – EHIMA
The Impact of Hearing Loss, Hearing Care and Empowerment in the Workplace, part 1 – Mark Laureyns – AEA
The Impact of Hearing Loss, Hearing Care and Empowerment in the Workplace, part 2 – Lidia Best – EFHOH
Debate & Conclusion
2025
World hearing day 2025 was held with the theme “Changing mindset”. EFHOH together with partners from AEA and EHIMA continued with the tradition of holding a parliamentary lunch debate.
Below please find all recorded presentations.
Welcome – MEP Zala Tomasic
WHO World Hearing Day theme – Shelly Chadha -WHO
The EU Disability Employment Package – Monika Chaba – European Commission
Hard of Hearing People in Employment – implementing inclusive approach – Lidia Best – EFHOH
Advocacy / Multi-sectoral Action for change – Ariane Laplante-Lévesque – WHO Europe
The consequences of hearing loss on employment – Mark Laureyns – AEA
The role of hearing health in employment and job retention – Stefan Zimmer – EHIMA
Debate & Conclusion
2024
World Hearing Day 2024 was held with the theme of “Changing Mindsets”. EFHOH, together with partners from AEA and EHIMA continued with the tradition of holding a Parliamentary Lunch Debate.
The Virtual Lunch Debate was hosted this year by MEP Jaroslaw Duda ( Poland).
Some interesting statistics: In total more than 250 people registered for the debate and we had 169 active attendees from in total 28 countries, stretching from Australia, the Philippines, India, South Africa, Brazil, and the United States. Most participants came from Europe, with Poland, the country of MEP Duda on top with 50 attendees, followed by Belgium (32), UK, Spain, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Italy.
Thank you to everyone who participated! Below, please find all recorded presentations.
- Welcome – MEP Jarosław Duda: https://youtu.be/esEPGQNzqds?si=EV-5XmY09KYMEARs
- WHO World Hearing Day theme – Shelly Chadha -WHO: https://youtu.be/M_xMVrVW6z8?si=67fHPHyp2IuIb7B2
- Why we need to change mindsets – Lidia Best– EFHOH: https://youtu.be/zbA0Qikj6yw?si=3GKMRldSRkj1YJXH
- Myths and reality on hearing loss and hearing care – Mark Laureyns – AEA: https://youtu.be/sF3yYcGn320?si=8uMfqqNURKI5jJ6T
- Changing the Mindsets on Hearing Care – Stefan Launer – EHIMA: https://youtu.be/KIlhMY5hCrg?si=JDCYjKUnrhLlE4IK
- Changing mindsets to ensure inclusive health systems – Emma Smith -WHO Europe:https://youtu.be/qqMHnE_7OyQ?si=N_fhcdpsbj2S81aF
- Debate & Conclusion – All: https://youtu.be/NFqGotDKYIQ?si=S3_V7sHnrH767l65
- The full lunch debate: https://youtu.be/2fiQgNRBAjs?si=zK7TjdY2whYgAL-Q
2021
EFHOH board member and featured speaker, Darja Pajk, at the 2019 Lunch Debate below:
