World Hearing Day

2 March 2023, from 10am to 6:30 pm — Sarfatti's Atrium

On March 2nd, the eve of World Hearing Day, Bocconi University students will be able to undergo a free hearing test through a new iPad-based technology (OtoPad). The initiative is supported by Amplifon, a strategic partner and donor of Bocconi University, as part of the "Ci Sentiamo Dopo - Listen Responsibly" project, which started in Italy in 2019 to promote good practices in responsible listening and hearing prevention among the youth.

Why a hearing test aimed at young people?

In our daily lives, especially in cities, we are exposed to noise levels that can impair our hearing.

Hypoacusis, or hearing loss, does not affect just the elderly. According to World Health Organization (WHO), more than 1 billion young people (50 percent of people between the ages of 12 and 35) are at risk of avoidable hearing loss1. Hypoacuis has many causes: using personal audio devices at excessive volume for prolonged periods of time; exposure to loud sounds during musical, sporting, or social events; noise pollution typical of urban areas; etc2.

Taking care of our hearing is essential even at a young age: repeated and uncontrolled exposure to excessively loud noise can irreversibly damage ear cells and permanently impair hearing. Untreated hearing loss can impair daily life and social and work inclusion3. Finally, it threatens people's cognitive health: WHO says that more than 8 percent of dementia cases among older adults are related to hearing loss4.

One of the best ways to preserve hearing, besides responsible listening practices, is undergoing regular checkups, even from a young age: this is the premise that brings OtoKiosk to Bocconi.

How does it work?

The mobile station available to students on March 2nd offers everyone the opportunity to undergo a rapid measurement of hearing skills thanks to OtoPad, the iPad-based digital audiometer.

With OtoPad, anyone can perform a PTA (Pure Tone Audiometry), an audiometric test that highlights the minimum values of hearing ability for each ear at different sound frequencies. PTA also detects any decline in hearing and its possible causes.

With the support of one of OtoPad's developers, students will receive a professional hearing reading in just five minutes.