Macquarie University Hearing (MUH) will celebrate World Hearing Day (WHD) on Monday 3 March 2025 with an event focussing on age-related hearing loss.
One in six Australians or four million people live with some form of hearing loss, and some estimates suggest one in four could have hearing loss by 2050.
World Hearing Day on 3 March each year brings people together to raise awareness on how to prevent deafness and hearing loss and promote ear and hearing care in Australia and globally.
This year’s theme – Changing mindsets: Empower yourself to make ear and hearing care a reality for all! – is about taking steps to ensure good hearing health throughout life.
Macquarie University is working to positively impact people with hearing loss, their families and the community.
Ms Michele Nealon, MUH coordinator and WHD convenor, said the university had a great turnout for its 2024 WHD celebrations and hoped to repeat the success in 2025.
“We’re expecting 200 to 250 visitors and representatives from 19 organisations, technology and service providers,” she said. “The event will cover all aspects of hearing services, assistive technology, community engagement and research.
“The celebration will serve as a gathering for the public, colleagues, clinical practitioners, researchers, and policymakers. It will draw a shining light on hearing health and offer a chance for people to gather under one roof.
“Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with diverse organisations and individuals from the d/Deaf and hard of hearing community.”
People can attend panel discussions, meet audiologists and have free hearing screening by registering on the day. They can also see demonstrations of assistive listening technologies and participate in discussions with researchers about their projects.
The program starts at 9.30am and ends at 3.30pm. Professor Patrick McNeil, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Medicine and Health) and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, will introduce the NSW Governor Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC and her husband Mr Dennis Wilson.
Panel discussions will include people with age-related hearing loss, and people with lived experience will discuss policy issues. There will be a free barbecue lunch.
The event will be at the Macquarie University Australian Hearing Hub, Wallumattagal campus, Macquarie Park, Sydney. There are car spaces on campus, regular buses and an on-campus train station.
People wishing to attend must register to assist with numbers for lecture theatres and catering.
For more information see https://bit.ly/WHD2025 and register here.
See highlights from the 2024 WHD event.
