World Hearing Day – Why Looking After Children’s Hearing Matters

Tomorrow, 3 March, is World Hearing Day and the New Zealand Audiological Society is urging parents, caregivers and teachers to put children’s hearing front of mind, because prevention, early recognition and early action can make a lifelong difference.

This year’s World Hearing Day theme – From communities to classrooms: hearing care for all children – highlights the critical role good hearing plays in how children learn, connect and engage in the world around them.

“Hearing is fundamental to children’s language development, learning and social wellbeing,” says Simon Melville, audiologist and President of the New Zealand Audiological Society. “When ear problems or hearing difficulties are missed, even for a relatively short time, they can quickly become barriers to learning and social engagement, particularly in early childhood and the classroom.”

“Hearing problems in children are far more common than people realise and waiting to ‘see if they grow out of it’ can mean missing a crucial window to support learning and development.”

“The good news is that being alert, checking for hearing issues and doing something about them is actually pretty simple. Some simply everyday habits can also really help protect a child’s hearing,” says Mr Melville.

To help families and schools take action, the New Zealand Audiological Society is sharing three simple steps parents, caregivers and teachers can take to care for children’s hearing.

Watch for the signs

If a child doesn’t respond when spoken to, needs things repeated, struggles to follow instructions, or seems inattentive or easily distracted, it’s time for a wellness and screening check by their GP or Well Child Tamariki Ora provider.

“Early recognition and, where necessary, referral to a hearing professional can make a big difference to how children learn, communicate and thrive,” says Mr Melville.

Act early

Smelly or leaky ears are not normal. They can be a sign of infection or inflammation that impacts hearing and learning.

“If you notice ear pain, discharge, itching or reduced hearing, seeing a GP or Well Child Tamariki Ora provider as soon as possible will help protect a child’s hearing and prevent longer-term problems.”

Look after their ears every day

Simple everyday habits also play a powerful role in prevention. Keeping ears dry, teaching children how to blow their nose, encouraging good handwashing, staying up to date with immunisations, and protecting young ears from loud sounds and noisy toys.

“Hearing is taonga,” says Mr Melville. “By watching for the signs, acting early, and supporting everyday ear health, we can give children the strongest possible start in life.”

For World Hearing Day, the New Zealand Audiological Society has a dedicated online resource hub with practical, easy-to-read guidance for families, alongside downloadable posters and information sheets to share in clinics, schools and community spaces. The resource hub is available at https://audiology.org.nz/for-the-public/world-hearing-day-2026/.

Note:

The New Zealand Audiological Society strives to promote evidence-based practice, research, education and advocacy to support its members, their profession, and the ear, hearing and balance health care needs of Aotearoa New Zealand.

World Hearing Day is a World Health Organization event held on 3 March each year to raise awareness on how to prevent deafness and hearing loss and promote ear and hearing care across the world.

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