Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1543996
6 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 20 MARCH 2026 NEWS Audiologists and deaf association host first World Hearing Day event in Gozo ON 28 February between, the Malta Association of Audiologists and the Gozo Association for the Deaf joined forces for the first time to commemorate World Hearing Day with a large-scale community hearing screening event in Victoria, Gozo. World Hearing Day, observed annually on 3rd March and led globally by the World Health Or- ganization, aims to raise aware- ness on hearing loss prevention and promote ear and hearing care across the world. This year's local initiative marked a historic mile- stone for Gozo, being the first collaboration between two NGOs dedicated to hearing health and deaf awareness on the island. The Hon. Clint Camilleri, Minister for Gozo and Planning who specially paid a courtesy visit to this event was very much impressed with the way it was organised and had much praise for this initiative . Free hearing screenings for the community The event offered free hearing screenings for individuals aged 6 years and upwards, providing 80 participants ( 18 under 18 years of age and 62 adults) with their first-ever audiological assessment and baseline audiogram. A total of 9 locally CPCM-regis- tered Audiologists and 3 MSc in Audiology students from the cur- rent cohort volunteered their ex- pertise. The screening setup was highly structured and efficient: • 5 hearing tests were con- ducted simultaneously • Audiologists performed detailed ear examinations and case histories • Audiologists were dedi- cated to explaining results and answering participants' questions • Participants were also able to seek professional advice on: • Noise-induced hearing loss and prevention • Tinnitus • Ear protection • Age-related hearing changes • Next steps following identification of hearing difficulties For those identified with hearing loss, professional guidance was provided regarding referral path- ways, further diagnostic assess- ment, and management options. Community Engagement and Social Support The Gozo Association for the Deaf kindly hosted the event at their premises in Victoria, creat- ing a welcoming and inclusive en- vironment. Members of the Asso- ciation were present throughout the morning, organising a social area where attendees could enjoy coffee and tea after their screen- ing. During this time, they also explained the Association's role, advocacy work, and the support services available for individuals with hearing loss and their fami- lies. This social dimension played an important role in reducing stigma and encouraging open discussion around hearing health. A Shared Vision for Awareness and Accessibility The collaboration was driven by a shared purpose: • To educate the public • To increase awareness about hearing health • To make hearing testing more accessible • To encourage early detec- tion and prevention The event particularly aimed to reach individuals who may have felt shy, unsure, or uncertain about how to get their hearing tested. By providing a friendly, professional, and free service, the initiative lowered barriers and empowered individuals to take control of their hearing health. Leadership Reflections The President of the Gozo As- sociation for the Deaf and long- time Teacher of the Deaf, Car- men Grech, described the event as "a meaningful step forward in raising awareness in Gozo and strengthening collaboration be- tween organisations working for the Deaf and hard of hearing community." Chairman of the Malta Associ- ation of Audiologists, Dr Andrew Sciberras, also declared the initi- ative a success, highlighting the strong turnout, the professional teamwork, and the positive feed- back received from attendees. They both expressed hope that this will become an annual World Hearing Day event in Gozo, fur- ther strengthening public educa- tion and preventive hearing care across the Maltese islands. The Gozo Association for the Deaf has recently become a mem- ber of the European Foundation of the Hard of Hearing and will be represented at its AGM in Brus- sels this April. This year's local initiative marked a historic milestone for Gozo, being the first collaboration between two NGOs dedicated to hearing health and deaf awareness on the island