New Delhi: The first World Congress on Ear and Hearing Care began here Thursday with its focus on reducing avoidable hearing impairment by 90 per cent by 2030.
According to the latest data available with WHO, 360 million people worldwide -- about five per cent of the population -- have disabling hearing loss.
The theme of the three-day congress is 'action towards better hearing'.
The conference will cover various aspects regrading prevention, early identification, management and rehabilitation of hearing loss.
The thrust will be on developing countries and the role of the developed world in facilitating the process, a participant said.
Held at India Habitat Centre, the conference is being attended by about 460 delegates from 30 countries.
Dr Santhosh Kacker from India and Dr Michael Chowen from the UK were honoured with lifetime achievement awards for their pioneering work in the field of hearing impairment.
The meet is being organised by the Sound Hearing Initiative under the aegis of the Society for Sound Hearing in collaboration with WHO, CBM and others.
