World Hearing Day is held annually on March 3. It raises awareness about the importance of prevention and care for hearing loss. The World Hearing Day is a campaign of the World Health Organization in cooperation with national partners, such as physicians, hearing care professionals, associations and companies. Find out more about the German campaign here.

1. Welttag des Hörens
2022
Bundesverband der Hörsysteme-
Industrie e.V.

2. The BVHI - What is that?
• The Federal Association of the Hearing System Industry e.V. (BVHI) represents
the manufacturers of medical hearing solutions on the German market.
• It is the communication body for all topics relating to hearing technology,
hearing care and prevention of hearing loss.
• The association is committed to increasing the use of hearing aids and hearing
implants by people with hearing loss and educates the public about the
performance of modern hearing systems.
• It also promotes collaboration with all groups involved in the provision of
hearing instruments. These include hearing care professionals, ENT physicians,
health insurance companies, other associations and interest groups, and
politicians.
World Hearing Day 2022 | BVHI | 22.02.22 2

3. The World Hearing Day
• World Hearing Day is held annually on March 3.
• It raises awareness about the importance of
prevention and care for hearing loss.
• The World Hearing Day is a campaign of the
Health Organization in cooperation with national
partners, such as physicians, hearing care
professionals, associations and companies.
• BVHI coordinates the WHO campaign with other
partners in German-speaking countries.
World Hearing Day 2022 | BVHI | 22.02.22 3

4. Patron of World Hearing Day 2022: German Minister of
Health Prof. Dr. Karl Lauterbach
„To understand what is being said in this pandemic,
you must prick up your ears particularly often, as
the saying goes. Communication with a protective
mask demands a lot from your ability to hear. The
"World Hearing Day" is an occasion to pay
attention to the special abilities of our ears and to
counteract impairments. It is therefore with pleasure
that I assume the patronage for the first time! My
thanks go to all those professionals who diagnose
and effectively treat hearing impairment within our
health care system, and to everyone in our society
who takes preventive action to reduce noise
exposure.“
World Hearing Day 2022 | BVHI | 22.02.22 4

5. Why talk about hearing health?
Hearing loss is common, but often not detected and treated in time:
• 12% of German citizens consider their hearing ability to be diminished,1 which is more
than 10 million people.
• 8% of these (just under 2 million people) forgo medical diagnosis and any therapy;
only 37% have hearing aids fitted.1
• Many hesitate too long: 60% of hearing aid users say in retrospect that they waited
unnecessarily long and gave up quality of life before getting fitted.1
World Hearing Day 2022 | BVHI | 22.02.22 5

6. Hearing instruments? I don't need them!
Assumption: "Hearing aids are expensive."
Fact: When prescribed by an ENT physician, the provision of hearing aids is already
available to those with public health insurance without their own additional payment.
Assumption: "My hearing loss is only mild, I don't need therapy."
Fact: (Old-age) hearing loss begins gradually after age 50 and worsens over time. Studies
suggest a strong correlation of untreated hearing loss with a higher risk of dementia and
depression, as well as a higher risk of falls and accidents.2
At the latest from the age of 50, an annual hearing test by an ENT specialist is the right
step to take.
World Hearing Day 2022 | BVHI | 22.02.22 6

7. How are hearing instruments changing my life?
World Hearing Day 2022 | BVHI | 22.02.22 7
Hearing aid users feel fitter and sleep better.1
• 62% of unsupported hard of hearing people said, “In the evening I often feel physically
exhausted”. In comparison, only 39% of hearing aid users reported the same.1
• A clear majority of hearing aid users, 97%, say hearing aids have improved their lives.1
Hearing loss in the workplace is becoming less of a problem.
• 95% of hearing aid users say hearing aids help them work.3
• A full 60% think they should have opted for a hearing aid earlier.3

8. Hearing instruments can do more (than just improve hearing)!
Hearing systems can network wirelessly with other electronic
devices. This makes everyday life easier, e.g. when making phone
calls, listening to music and using apps. The cell phone can thus
remain in the pocket.
Annoying noise such as wind or impulse sound can be reduced,
speech can be emphasized and thus the listening effort can be
reduced.
A hearing care professional will present all available features and
provide expert advice on individual hearing solutions.
World Hearing Day 2022 | BVHI | 22.02.22 8
Picture by geralt on Pixabay

9. Where can I get a hearing aid?
• Hearing aids are approved and tested medical devices.
They are individually fitted by qualified hearing care
professionals.
• If you want to detect hearing loss in time, you should get
a hearing test with an ear, nose and throat specialist. If
the appropriate conditions are met, he or she will
prescribe hearing aids. In some cases, a hearing implant is
also a possibility.
• In Germany, you can find an ENT doctor in your area, for
example, by using the doctor search of Ihr-
Hoergeraet.de.
• Alternatively, you can also contact a hearing acoustician
in your area, for example via the service of Ihr-
Hörgerät.de.
World Hearing Day 2022 | BVHI | 22.02.22 9

10. For more info on German World Hearing Day, visit:
https://welttag-des-hoerens.de/.
World Hearing Day 2022 | BVHI | 22.02.22 10

11. Where can I find more information (in German)?
World Hearing Day 2022 | BVHI | 22.02.22 11
• European Hearing Instruments Manufacturers Association – https://www.ehima.com/ (English)
• Bundesverband der Hörsysteme-Industrie e.V. – https://bvhi.org/
• German World Hearing Day 2022 – https://welttag-des-hoerens.de/
• Info portal Ihr-Hörgerät.de with audiologist and ENT search – https://www.ihr-hoergeraet.de/
• Initiative Hörgesundheit – https://www.initiative-hörgesundheit.de
• Der BVHI @ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/9320469/
• Der BVHI @ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/der_bvhi/
• Der BVHI @ Twitter – https://twitter.com/der_bvhi
• Der BVHI @ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/BVHIorg
• Der BVHI @ YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58kCJCJNfuQ

12. Sources
1. EHIMA (2018): EuroTrak Germany 2018 (https://www.ehima.com/surveys/).
2. Hélène Amieva et.al. (2018): Death, Depression, Disability, and Dementia Associated with self-
reported Hearing Problems: A 25-Years Study; in: The Journals of Gerontology, Series A,
January 2018 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29304204);
Gill Livingston et al. (2020): Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2020 report of the
Lancet Commission. The Lancet Commissions, Vol. 396, Issue 10248, Year 2020 (Dementia
prevention, intervention, and care: 2020 report of the Lancet Commission - The Lancet); Elham
Mahmoudi et.al. (2019): Can Hearing Aids Delay Time to Diagnosis of Dementia, Depression, or
Falls in Older Adults?; in: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
(https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jgs.16109?referrer_access_token=XquZl8LB
_dNCepYNosRFYta6bR2k8jH0KrdpFOxC67g8tVAtyueNTwl3EQMx1Uq0FVqvWldQ74-
Tk_EBMhLZzLgujhqV44oQCHHq_U0qDoU3FHcOAtOqU-
Ylstt7ONzhM36fZBg8NfBfwgfYDt5PA%3D%3D).
3. Bridget Shield (2019): Hearing Loss – Numbers and Costs. Evaluation of the social and economic
costs of hearing impairment, Brunel University London (https://www.ehima.com/documents/)
World Hearing Day 2022 | BVHI | 22.02.22 12

13. World Hearing Day 2022 | BVHI | 22.02.22
THANKYOU FOR
YOUR ATTENTION!
13