A global network of stakeholders promoting ear and hearing care worldwide. Our members are governments, professional bodies, nongovernmental organisations, academic institutions, user groups and private sector entities working together so that no one is left behind by hearing loss.
The Forum was established by the World Health Organization to support Member States in implementing World Health Assembly resolution WHA70.13 on the prevention of deafness and hearing loss, adopted in 2017.
Members: request your invitation whf@who.int
Members include
178 organisations · 54 countries · 6 WHO regions
Why the Forum exists
Source: WHO fact sheet, 3 March 2026
Today
430 million
people need rehabilitation for disabling hearing loss, over 5% of the world’s population.
By 2050
2.5 billion
people will have some degree of hearing loss by 2050, and more than 700 million will need rehabilitation.
Safe listening
Over 1 billion
young adults risk permanent, avoidable hearing loss from unsafe listening.
Cost of inaction
Almost US$ 1 trillion
is lost each year to unaddressed hearing loss. Nearly 80% of people affected live in low- and middle-income countries.
WHO estimates that less than US$ 1.40 per person per year would scale up ear and hearing care worldwide, returning nearly US$ 16 for every dollar invested.
“A world in which no person experiences hearing loss due to preventable causes and those with hearing loss can achieve their full potential through early identification and appropriate management.”
The Forum brings a collective vision to advocacy and collaboration in ear and hearing care. Through networking and the exchange of knowledge, skills and field experience, it galvanizes action to fill critical gaps in ear and hearing care around the world.
World Hearing Forum Secretariat · Ear and Hearing Care Programme, World Health Organization
How the Forum works
Every member organisation joins at least one workstream. Each is led by two co-chairs from the membership.
Already a member? Join a workstream
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