World Hearing Forum workstream

Changemakers

Changemakers

Changemakers are people living with hearing loss, and the professionals who work alongside them, whose stories challenge stigma and inspire action. The workstream finds them, tells their stories and puts WHO’s messages in front of audiences that hearing care has never reached.

Led by co-chairs Jacqueline Drexler and Suneela Garg

Stigma changes when the story changes

Facts alone do not move people. A person does. Changemakers puts real people at the centre of hearing care, and lets their stories do the advocating.

1. 1. People living with hearing loss

   Students, athletes, musicians, parents and leaders whose everyday lives show what is possible when hearing loss is identified early and supported well.

2. 2. Professionals who change the field

   Audiologists, ENT surgeons, teachers, engineers and community health workers who find new ways to reach people that services have missed.

3. 3. Champions with a platform

   Public figures, two global and four regional, who carry WHO’s messages to audiences hearing care has never reached.

What we are working towards

The workstream’s objectives as agreed with WHO, and how progress is measured against them.

1. 01

   Engage high profile champions relevant to WHO regions to amplify WHO messages and raise the importance of hearing as a significant public health issue.

2. 02

   Change societal perceptions of hearing loss through the stories of everyday Changemakers and the challenges they overcome.

3. 03

   Identify existing and develop new strategic communication channels to carry WHO messages and Changemaker stories to a wider audience.