Cochlear : World Hearing Day 2022

3 March 2022, Sydney: Today - World Hearing Day - represents 12 months since the World Health Organization (WHO) gave a global call to action for policy makers and the general public to make ear and hearing care a priority across the life course.

Exactly one year ago, Cochlear joined people with hearing loss, global hearing care experts and advocates in welcoming the WHO's first-ever World Report on Hearing, which urged governments and societies to prioritise hearing health.

The report, titled 'Hearing care for all - screen, rehabilitate, communicate' called on member states of the WHO to integrate ear and hearing care into primary health care programs. It also affirmed the importance of hearing screening at key life stages, early intervention and access to hearing technology including cochlear implants.

Dig Howitt, CEO and President of Cochlear said, "The World Report on Hearing continues to provide hearing care leaders and policy-makers with clear guidance on how to integrate ear and hearing care into their national health plans.

"Its messages are as urgent today as they were 12 months ago when the report first launched and Cochlear will continue to work with non-government organisations, academic and clinical partners towards its implementation."

Malala Yousafzai, the world's youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Co-Founder of Malala Fund wrote a personal foreword to the report in which she expressed her hopes for world leaders to work together to implement the report's recommendations.

Following this important step, Malala Fund and hearing health not-for-profit Cochlear Foundation launched a partnership to raise awareness about the barriers keeping millions of children and young people with hearing loss from accessing a quality education. Cochlear is grateful for all of those who have helped to champion the partnership's goals from around the world.

Cochlear is also an active supporter and member of the WHO's World Hearing Forum, a global network promoting ear and hearing care worldwide. Members of this advocacy network are committed to facilitating implementation of the World Health Assembly resolution WHA70.13 on "Prevention of deafness and hearing loss" and support Member States in this regard.

Cochlear and its partners also support the World Health Organization's 2022 World Hearing Day theme "To hear for life, listen with care".

About Cochlear Limited (ASX: COH)

People have always been Cochlear's inspiration, ever since Professor Graeme Clark set out to create the first multi-channel cochlear implant after seeing his father struggle with hearing loss. Since 1981, Cochlear has provided more than 650,000 devices in more than 180 countries, helping people of all ages around the world to hear. As the global leader in implantable hearing solutions, Cochlear connects people with life's opportunities, and welcomes them to the world's largest hearing implant community.

Cochlear has a global workforce of more than 4,000 people, with a passion for progress, who strive to meet the needs of people living with hearing loss. The company continually innovates to anticipate future needs, investing more than AUD$2 billion to date [in research and development] to push the boundaries of technology and help more people hear.

For further information, please contact:
Jennifer Stevenson
Vice President, Communications & Brand
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