World Hearing Day 2026: MED-EL Reinforces Its Commitment to Hearing Care for Every Child – Every Day
March 3, 2026 – (Innsbruck, Austria): On World Hearing Day 2026, MED-EL reinforces its year round commitment to hearing care for all children, supporting the World Health Organization (WHO) theme “From communities to classrooms: hearing care for all children.” With an estimated 90 million children (aged 5-19) worldwide affected by hearing loss, early identification and support remain critical. MED-EL emphasizes that hearing health is not a one-day initiative but a 365-day mission to empower children and families worldwide.
- Families First: Parents share how early hearing care and support transform children’s futures.
- Global Voices: Hearpeers and IDEASforEARS show the real impact of awareness and community.
- Year‑Round Commitment: MED-EL works every day to ensure no child is left behind.
Hearing loss in childhood affects language development, education, social inclusion, and long-term opportunities. While over 60% of childhood hearing loss is preventable, millions of children still lack access to early identification and timely intervention. This is why MED-EL invests year-round not only in hearing implant technology, but also in awareness, education, rehabilitation support, and global community networks that help families navigate their journey from the very first day.
Inspiring Creativity: IDEASforEARS
One of the most powerful examples of MED‑EL’s philosophy is IDEASforEARS – the international invention contest that invites children to imagine the future of hearing technology. For many young participants, IDEASforEARS is more than a contest – it is their first moment of being seen, valued, and celebrated for their ideas. Camila, a past winner from Argentina, recalls: “Coming to Innsbruck for IDEASforEARS was unforgettable. I met kids from all over the world who care about hearing health just like I do. It showed me that even small ideas can lead to big changes.” Her experience is echoed by children across the globe. Linn from Germany, also a past winner, describes the experience as ‘life changing’ and says it inspired her to pursue a future career in hearing technology. Linn’s story reflects what IDEASforEARS is designed to achieve: empower children, give them a voice, and show them that their ideas matter.
Patrick D’Haese, Corporate Director of Awareness and Public Affairs at MED‑EL, emphasizes the importance of giving children a platform: “IDEASforEARS is one of the clearest expressions of MED‑EL’s mission. When we give children the stage, we give them the confidence that their voice matters. Their ideas, their creativity, and their lived experience push us to innovate in ways that truly meet their needs. These children are not only the users of today or tomorrow – they are the co‑creators of the future of hearing technology.”
Empowering Families: Hearpeers
For many families, the hearing journey begins with uncertainty – and quickly becomes one of resilience, hope, and community. This is where Hearpeers, MED-EL’s global mentoring network, makes the difference: parents connect with others who have lived the same experience, gaining guidance and confidence from those who understand their challenges best. Jasmine, mother of a girl with a cochlear implant from Switzerland, speaks about the importance of identity and confidence: “Hearing loss should not be a taboo topic – embrace it openly. Encourage your children. They are perfect as they are. They may be deaf, they may have a CI, but they can do anything they want.”
Laely, mother of Mika in Indonesia, highlights the critical role families play in early development: “Early intervention is the key. Build a support network, connect with professionals, and talk to other families. And: Parents are the first teachers and the best therapists at home. Celebrate every small step.”
Together, these stories capture the heart of Hearpeers: a global community that empowers parents, provides guidance, and shows families that they never have to navigate the hearing journey alone.
A Shared Responsibility
These voices reflect MED-EL’s belief that hearing care is a shared responsibility – across families, schools, and communities. By fostering collaboration between health professionals, educators, and parents, and by equipping them with knowledge and tools, we can ensure that every child has the chance to thrive.
This commitment extends far beyond high resource settings. Today, MED EL is active in more than 140 countries, works closely with development aid organizations to strengthen hearing care in several African countries and support the development of university training programs and medical infrastructure. The progress there is not always as fast as one might wish. Patrick D’Haese highlights one possible reason: “When someone uses a wheelchair, it is immediately apparent. But when a child can’t hear well, most people have no idea how profoundly this affects their life.”
This makes days like World Hearing Day so important. On this and every day – MED-EL calls on stakeholders to advocate for routine hearing screening in schools, integrate hearing health into child wellness programs, and share stories that inspire change. “Hearing care is not a one‑day action”, says Patrick D’Haese. “It is a year‑round commitment that begins with early identification and continues with the right technology, rehabilitation, and community support. On World Hearing Day 2026, we reaffirm our mission to give every child access to the best possible start – at home, at school, and throughout their lives.”
For more information on hearing and hearing health visit the MED-EL website.
About MED-EL
MED-EL Medical Electronics, a leader in implantable hearing solutions, is driven by a mission to overcome hearing loss as a barrier to communication and quality of life. The Austrian-based, privately owned business was co-founded by industry pioneers Ingeborg and Erwin Hochmair, whose ground-breaking research led to the development of the world’s first micro-electronic multi-channel cochlear implant (CI), which was successfully implanted in 1977 and was the basis for what is known as the modern CI today. This laid the foundation for the successful growth of the company in 1990, when they hired their first employees. To date, MED-EL has more than 3,100 employees from around 90 nations and 30 locations worldwide.
The company offers the widest range of implantable and non-implantable solutions to treat all types of hearing loss, enabling people in 140 countries enjoy the gift of hearing with the help of a MED-EL device. MED-EL’s hearing solutions include cochlear and middle ear implant systems, a combined electric acoustic stimulation hearing implant system, auditory brainstem implants as well as surgical and non-surgical bone conduction devices. www.medel.com
CEO
Doz. DI Dr DDr med. h.c. Ingeborg Hochmair
Press Contact
PR & Corporate Communications
MED-EL Medical Electronics
Fürstenweg 77a
6020 Innsbruck
Austria
T: +43 5 7788
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