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In celebration of World Hearing Day 2025, the Health Care Association of Nepal implemented the project “Changing Mindsets: Empowering Yourself to Make Ear and Hearing Care a Reality for All in Nepal.”

The initiative aimed to improve awareness of ear and hearing health, promote safe listening, encourage early recognition of ear conditions, and strengthen community participation in hearing-loss prevention and timely care.

The project combined youth capacity-building, school-based health education, community screening, public-health awareness, and referral support. Activities were implemented in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, and Banke, reaching children, young people, adults, teachers, families, and community members.

A key component of the project was the training of 30 youth leaders by ear, nose, and throat specialists. The training equipped participants with practical knowledge of ear health, common causes of hearing loss, safe listening, early warning signs, community communication, and referral guidance. The trained youth leaders were encouraged to act as community advocates and promote accurate hearing-health information among schools, families, and local communities.

HCAN also conducted hearing-health education programmes in 15 schools, reaching more than 1,000 students. Interactive sessions addressed common ear conditions, hearing-loss prevention, harmful ear-cleaning practices, safe listening, early symptoms, and the importance of seeking timely professional care.

School engagement helped students understand that ear pain, discharge, reduced hearing, ringing in the ears, persistent blockage, or difficulty understanding speech should not be ignored. Students were encouraged to share key messages with their families and communities, extending the programme’s indirect reach.

Four community ear and hearing screening camps were conducted for children and adults. Screening activities included health history, basic ear assessment, otoscopic examination where available, hearing-related evaluation, counselling, and referral guidance for participants requiring further clinical assessment.

The programme reached approximately 1,050 people through screening and live community activities. It also generated digital engagement through social-media communication and World Hearing Day educational resources.

An important impact story involved a 16-year-old student from a low-income family who had experienced hearing difficulties for several years. During screening, he was identified with a treatable ear condition and referred for further care. The project team also supported communication with his family and facilitated access to treatment. This case demonstrated the value of early identification, family counselling, and referral support in preventing avoidable hearing difficulties.

The project promoted the understanding that hearing care should not begin only after severe hearing loss develops. Prevention, safe listening, early screening, timely treatment of ear infections, appropriate referral, and community awareness are essential parts of effective ear and hearing care.

Through collaboration with healthcare professionals, schools, youth leaders, families, and community stakeholders, the initiative contributed to changing misconceptions, increasing awareness, and encouraging earlier healthcare-seeking for ear and hearing concerns.

Youth leaders trained: 30
Schools engaged: 15
Students reached: More than 1,000
Community screening camps conducted: 4
People reached through screening and live activities: Approximately 1,050
Digital reach: Approximately 3,000
Target groups: Children, young people, adults, teachers, families, and community members
Primary focus: Ear-health awareness, safe listening, early identification, screening, counselling, and referral