World Hearing Day: Why Listening Matters More Than Ever

Every year on 3 March, World Hearing Day shines a spotlight on an issue many of us take for granted: our ability to hear. 

Led by the World Health Organization, the day aims to raise awareness about hearing loss, promote ear and hearing care, and encourage preventative action across all age groups.

In a world that rarely stops talking, true listening has never been more important.

The Scale of the Issue

Hearing loss is far more common than people might realise. It affects children, working-age adults and older people alike. Some cases are linked to ageing, others to noise exposure, infections, genetics, injury or untreated medical conditions.

In the UK, millions live with some degree of hearing loss. Yet many delay seeking help, often because the change happens gradually. Conversations become harder. Background noise feels overwhelming. Television volume creeps up. Social situations feel tiring rather than enjoyable.

Left unaddressed, hearing loss can impact:

Communication and relationships

Mental health and confidence

Work performance and career prospects

Cognitive health in later life

World Hearing Day reminds us that hearing care is not a luxury, it’s a core part of overall wellbeing.

Why Early Action Matters

One of the strongest messages behind World Hearing Day is prevention.

Many forms of hearing damage are avoidable. Simple steps can make a significant difference:

Lowering headphone volume and limiting listening time

Wearing ear protection in loud environments

Seeking prompt treatment for ear infections

Attending regular hearing checks, especially over 50

Early diagnosis allows for early intervention. Modern hearing aids are discreet, sophisticated and life-changing for many people. There is also increasing research linking untreated hearing loss with social isolation and cognitive decline, making early support even more important.

Breaking the Stigma

Despite advances in technology, stigma still surrounds hearing aids and hearing difficulties. Some people worry that wearing a hearing aid makes them “look old” or vulnerable.

World Hearing Day challenges that mindset.

Using glasses to correct vision is normal. Using technology to support hearing should be viewed in exactly the same way. 

Open conversations help dismantle embarrassment and encourage people to seek support sooner.

Protecting the Next Generation

Young people are increasingly exposed to high sound levels through music streaming, gaming headsets and live events. 

Personal audio devices, when used at unsafe volumes, can cause permanent damage.

Encouraging responsible listening habits from childhood onwards is vital. Schools, parents and workplaces all have a role to play in educating about safe sound levels.

Listening safely today protects quality of life tomorrow.

A Public Health Priority

World Hearing Day also highlights the need for accessible hearing care services. Globally, many people lack access to screening, treatment or affordable devices. 

Campaigns linked to this day encourage governments and healthcare systems to prioritise hearing health as part of universal health coverage.

Closer to home, it’s a reminder to make hearing tests as routine as eye tests, particularly as we age.

How You Can Support World Hearing Day

You don’t need to be a medical professional to take part. You can:

Book a hearing check for yourself or a loved one

Share awareness posts on social media

Talk openly about hearing challenges

Reduce your daily exposure to excessive noise

Sometimes the most powerful action is simply paying attention.

Listening Is Connection

Hearing is more than sound. It’s laughter across a dinner table. It’s birdsong on a spring morning. It’s music that stirs memories. It’s the voice of someone you love.

World Hearing Day is a reminder that protecting our hearing protects our connection to the world around us.

And that is something worth listening to.

https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-hearing-day/2026

Fitting Back Into Old Jeans Makes Women As Happy As Winning The Lottery

Research released today as part of the SPLENDA® 'Small Steps' campaign, has revealed that over a quarter of women would be as happy fitting into old jeans as they would winning millions on the lottery. The research also went on to show that more women (29%) would be happier slipping on those old jeans than spending a night of romance with their partner (19%).

More women than ever are making healthy resolutions (94%) in the hope of fitting into old jeans, however over half of women break healthy resolutions at least once a week. What's more, women are also deceiving their friends and family with over a third admitting to telling little white lies about their diet and fitness habits. The most popular fib told by nearly half (49%) of women being that they haven't eaten anything between meals when in fact they've munched on a chocolate bar.

As well as being in second place to fitting into jeans in the happiness stakes, husbands and partners are also the ones that women are most likely to lie to. More women would lie to their partner (35%) than their friends (29%) about their diet and fitness habits with the most common reason being that they are embarrassed (54%) followed by feelings of insecurity (20%).

We all know that keeping healthy resolutions is tough, but the research revealed that a fifth (22%) of women would find it easier to achieve goals by making them more manageable and breaking them down into small steps. And with 80% of women citing a lack of willpower as the reason for breaking healthy resolutions, it seems the women of the UK need help.

This spring, SPLENDA® is launching the 'Small Steps' campaign and with the help of an expert panel, will be giving women tips on how to keep going on those tricky resolutions. Style guru Nicky Hambleton-Jones, celebrity fitness expert Jane Wake, life coach Liz Wilde and SPLENDA® nutritionist Kiran Goraya will be working together to help women take a series of small steps that can add up to make a big difference.

Style guru Nicky Hambleton-Jones says; "Every woman has a pair of old jeans that they haven't been able to fit into for years, but that they keep in the hope of squeezing back into them one day. That feeling may seem as good as winning the lottery, but my advice is for women to take the plunge and bin those old jeans! If that slim day does ever come, women should celebrate properly by splashing out on a whole new outfit, not by wearing unfashionable old jeans."

Another small step that women can take this year is to make the switch from sugar to SPLENDA® - the sugar alternative with a great sugar like taste but a fraction of the calories, thanks to its original ingredient, sucralose. Available in both a Sweet Minis and Granulated format, SPLENDA® is great for use in hot drinks, but also for baking sweet desserts, but without all of the calories of sugar.

To learn more about SPLENDA® and its 'Small Steps' campaign or for the chance to win a personal style consultation with Nicky, a healthy eating plan with Kiran, or a personal fitness programme with Jane, please visit www.facebook.com/splendaUK or www.splenda.co.uk.

Half of us are overweight, but 84% of New Year’s Weight Loss Resolutions still going strong

Although normally only 12% of our New Year’s Resolutions succeed, British dieters have found an effective method to incorporate their resolutions in their lives. A hefty 84% of people who have joined the JENNY CRAIG programme in 2012 are still sticking to their diet plans, and on average, they have lost 5.58lbs during the first 3 weeks of the year.

Independent research shows in 2011, exactly half of all British adults thought of themselves as overweight. 40% of British men felt this way about themselves, versus 59% of British women. What’s even more shocking is the way people dealt with their worries about their weight and health. The same research showed that 39% of the female and 23% of the male population said that they were trying to lose weight most of the time, and 14% of all Brits admitted that they often skip a meal in order to lose some weight.

Jacqui Morrell, JENNY CRAIG dietician, says: “Skipping meals actually works against weight loss. Your metabolism will slow down if you don’t eat, which makes it more difficult to lose weight. On the JENNY CRAIG programme, we encourage people to have 3 meals and 3 snacks throughout the day.”

In 2007, the British psychologist Richard Wiseman studied 3000 people in the UK and discovered that 88% of our serious New Year’s resolutions are abandoned prematurely. Since the most popular New Year’s resolution is weight loss, it’s impressive that 84% of people who made the New Year’s resolution to lose weight with Jenny Craig are still going strong.

Jacqui Morrell says: “The key to JENNY CRAIG’s success is our very personal approach. If you’re on JENNY CRAIG, we prepare and deliver portion and calorie controlled food which spans a range of cuisines and is also incredibly tasty.

"Clients have their own personal consultant who calls at a convenient time every week to discuss how it’s going and to inspire you to keep up the good work as you successfully lose weight. And if you have any questions throughout the week, clients can always get in touch with one of the consultants. It really is one of the ultimate weight loss programmes – you’ll never look back!”

Herbalife can help you lose weight

Herbalife produce the Formula 1 Weight Management programme, which is designed at helping you lose that excess weight that snuck up on you when you were not looking!

First of all is the Formula 1 Shakes. These cost £27.60 for a tin and act as a meal replacement. Each measured glass will deliver you less than 220 calories, but it is carefully designed to deliver you high levels of important minerals and vitamins to help ensure your dieting is healthy.

They also contain soy protein and plant-based carbohydrates, which will help you to feel full for longer. They also help ensure that you do not get a sudden drop in energy levels which can make a dieter suddenly find they are not only craving for sugary snacks (like chocolate bars) but that they find themselves running out of energy. They come in the following flavours: Cappuccino, Chocolate, Cookies and Cream, Strawberry, Tropical Fruit and Vanilla.

Sometimes it is not easy to carry a large container of milk shake powder with you when  you are out and about or perhaps at work. In this case the answer lies in the extremely handy Formula 1 Vanilla Sachets. These cost £10.55 for 7 sachets and will deliver exactly the same nutritional punch as the Formula 1 Shakes, but all in the from of a one shot sachet that is easily portable.  

Man and woman cannot live by shake alone -as nobody has ever said!- which is why Herbalife have formulated some nutritionally balanced Healthy Meal Bars, too. These are ideal if you do not have time to make a shake or feel like something you can get your teeth into.

The Formula 1 Bars (£15.30 for 7 bars) are pocket and hand bag or man bag sized and as these tasty bars each contain under 207 calories, you can be sure that they'll help you to reach your target goal in healthy and sustained way.

As with the Formula 1 shakes, they contain soya protein which will help you not only lose weight but to maintain and build healthy muscle tissues, too, when combined with exercise. These bars are also designed to help ensure that you will feel fuller for longer. These are available in the traditional chocolate dipped flavour and also in the new and delicious Red Berry and Yoghurt flavour.

To find out how Herbalife can help you lose weight call 0845 056 0606 or visit http://products.herbalife.co.uk or visit www.myweightlosschallenge.com.