Hearing International is an ‘International non-governmental Charity Organization’ established since 1992 as umbrella organization link with IFOS (International Federation of Oto-rhino-laryngological Societies) and ISA ( The International Society of Audiology) the two professional organizations responsible for Ear nose throat and Hearing problems. Hearing International registered as Charity organization in USA under Michigan’s Law. The objective of HI is working towards the Goal ‘Healthy Ear and Better Hearing for All ’ in developing countries. Hearing International has its’ own constitution and by laws and work under the by laws by HI Executive Board whose members are elected annually by HI General Assembly.
Mission: ‘Healthy Ear and Better Hearing for All ’
Vision:
Hearing is important for everyday life i.e. education – earn the living – socio economics. Good hearing is important for ‘Quality of Life’. Loss of hearing or impaired hearing make life more difficult to live particularly in this confused and noisy world. Hearing impairment affected at least 10% of world population encountered at least 250 Millions people with hearing disability. The sad thing is that 50% of hearing impairment is preventable either by primary, secondary or tertiary means those are prevent from exist, prevent from complications and prevent from disability by rehabilitation. WHO list preventable or avoidable hearing impairment as follow (a); Congenital hearing loss either genetic or acquired (b); Otitis media in childhood; (c); Ototoxic drugs’ deafness (d); Noise Induced Hearing Loss and (e); Aging hearing loss because of ill health and environmental hazard.
Hearing Impairment is a hidden disability. Children are born deaf 2 in 1000. Many times children who are born deaf can be interpreted as mental retardation or else. Otitis media or middle ear infection is widespread among children in deprived community in rural area in developing world. Chronic discharging ear or running ear is consider normal unless complication arise then they will seek help while resources are rare to non-exist. In civilized world people are exposed to loud sound and develop hearing loss by entertaining themselves with loud sound at leisure time. While poor people have to work in noisy surrounding in factory to earn their living and gradually loss their hearing. While the other people innocently enjoy their life walking in shopping complex or open air concert can also expose to too loud sound that can damage their hearing. Many people are deaf because of ill help and had oto-toxic drugs that caused hearing loss. People getting old and become deaf or hard of hearing and were considered aging hearing loss with no help. In fact many people get old in good hearing but ‘WHY’. Life style of people are different that make the different.. Can we get old in good health and good hearing ? Do you think environment and life style make the different and can we help?
Hearing International connects world professional groups who are responsible for people good hearing and hearing manufacturers all furnished with the technical know-how of world standard for consumers group and the NGOs as implementing bodies to the lay people at grass-root level. They are ideal in implementing ‘Hearing for All’ Program .
Hearing International has members as individuals, National Committees, National Chapters, NGOs, Manufacturers and Consumers’ Organizations from all over the world. Hearing International also recognized HI-IFOS-ISA Centers in different countries as working partners and are the program implementation bodies.
Hearing International published HI News Letter quarterly to link all involved bodies and partners together and to show its’ activities as well as provide information. For educational point of view and getting together Hearing International run ‘Educational Meeting’ and ‘General Assembly’ annually by taking turn in different partners’ countries. |
