2025 2026 Annual Coalition for Global Hearing Health Conferences

Project Summary The Annual Coalition for Global Hearing Health (CGHH) Conferences serve as global hearing health hubs to disseminate research findings, share evidence-based clinical practices, and network with a diverse group of professionals to promote ear and hearing health and to facilitate policy changes, especially in low resource environments. The 14th and 15th annual conferences will be held in Boston in 2025 and Agra, India in 2026. The theme for the 2025 conference is Advancing Hearing Health in Low Resource Communities and that of the 2026 conference is Fostering Inclusiveness, Changing Mindsets. These themes are closely aligned with the mission of CGHH to promote and enhance hearing health services and to improve the ear and hearing health of individuals with hearing loss in low resource communities. They are also consistent with the recent objectives of the World Health Organization's World Hearing Forum and its Program for Prevention of Deafness and Hearing Loss to include ear and hearing care in primary healthcare and to reduce stigma associated with hearing loss and hearing aid use with the goal to improve the general well-being and the quality of life of individuals with hearing loss. The keynote speakers will address these themes from different perspectives with evidence-based research and practices. Abstract submissions and discussions are encouraged to approach each theme from five areas: 1) Best Practices, 2) Technology, 3) Advocacy/Community Engagement, 4) Empowering families, and 5) Training/Education. The Annual CGHH Conferences are historically well-attended by a diverse combination of professionals and stakeholders, who came from ~20 countries each year with many from low-to-middle income countries (LMICs). Travel grants and registration fee waivers will be awarded to encourage local and international students and professionals from LMICs to attend the conferences. To further expand our reach and to increase the impact of our conferences, our Diversity Director will reach out to underrepresented groups in the United States, to ear and hearing professional organizations in other countries, and a wide range of professional organizations in related fields to facilitate international and cross-field learning and collaboration, and to promote better ear and hearing services around the world.