From January 17th to 18th, 2026, the national "Action for Promoting Hearing Health among the Elderly (2024-2027)" series of training and free medical consultation public welfare activities were tenderly launched and successfully concluded in Wuhan. As an important practice of implementing the national strategy of proactively responding to population aging, this event is overall guided by the Department of Aging Health of the National Health Commission, hosted by the Chinese Society of Geriatrics, organized by the Ear Science Branch, and co-organized by Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology. It adopts a multi-party linkage model of "government guidance, society organization, institutional collaboration, and social participation". Gather the backbone forces in the fields of geriatric medicine, hearing health and social services across the country, provide professional care for elderly friends in Wuhan and its surrounding areas, and inject strong impetus into the innovative development of China's elderly hearing health cause.

As the sixth stop of the "Action for Promoting Hearing Health among the Elderly (2024-2027)" series of activities, the holding of the Wuhan stop not only continues and deepens the achievements of the previous five stops in Datong, Shanxi, Changsha, Hunan, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, Yantai, Shandong, and Zhengzhou, Henan, but also represents an important measure to extend high-quality hearing health services to the central region. The event innovatively adopted a dual-wheel drive model of "training + free medical consultation", which not only consolidated the "ability foundation" of the professional talent team but also bridged the "last mile" in serving the elderly group, enabling policy dividends and health care to precisely reach the grassroots level.

Free medical consultations for public welfare enter the community, tenderly safeguarding the happiness right beside your ears

On the afternoon of January 17th, the Nanhu Campus of Hubei Provincial Veterans' and Preferential Treatment Hospital was filled with warmth. A public welfare free medical consultation, carrying care and responsibility, was held here with great tenderness. Led by the Otolaryngology Branch of the Chinese Geriatrics Society, a team of top otolaryngology and hearing experts across the country, equipped with professional devices and with sincere hearts, provided free services throughout the entire process for the elderly friends present - from detailed ear canal health checks, precise hearing tests, to personalized intervention guidance and patient health consultations. Every link demonstrated professionalism and warmth.

I used to think that hearing loss was a normal phenomenon of getting old. But after listening to the expert's explanation, I realized that it not only affects communication but may also be related to memory and mood! Today, I not only had a check-up but also learned some ear protection skills. I feel particularly at ease." A senior citizen over ninety years old who received preferential treatment held the expert's hand and said with emotion. At the event site, experts not only tailored hearing aid intervention plans or medical referral suggestions for elderly people with hearing loss, but also shared their knowledge generously on the use of hearing AIDS, daily communication skills, and common sense for hearing protection. They used simple and understandable language to implant the health concept of "early detection, early diagnosis, and early intervention" into people's hearts. One by one, the concerned faces, the patient words of advice, and the meticulous inspections have filled the winter hospital area with a warm and tender feeling, and have also made the elderly friends truly feel the care and protection from all sectors of society.

Professional training provides strong empowerment, laying a solid "professional foundation" for health services

On the morning of January 18th, the academic atmosphere was strong in the teaching building of Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology. The academic training session of this event was grandly held here. The training closely adheres to the core goals of the "Action Plan for Promoting Hearing Health among the Elderly (2024-2027)", focusing on the key and difficult issues in the field of elderly hearing health, and meticulously designs systematic and practical course modules. Ear experts and geriatric medicine authorities from many top medical institutions in China Centering on cutting-edge topics such as "Core Information and Implementation Plan for Promoting Hearing Health in the Elderly", "Research on the Correlation between Presbycusis and Cognitive Impairment", "Multi-dimensional Intervention Strategies for Presbycusis", "Two 'Hearing Reports' and the Implementation Path for the Prevention and Treatment of Presbycusis", and "Comorbidity Management of Hearing Loss and Systemic Diseases in the Elderly" Combining real clinical cases, detailed data analysis and in-depth policy interpretation, carry out all-round and in-depth sharing and discussion.

During the training process, experts not only conveyed the latest disciplinary advancements and technological achievements, but also emphasized practicality and guidance. They engaged in lively interactions and in-depth exchanges with the attending medical and social workers regarding practical issues such as difficult cases in grassroots services, bottlenecks in the connection of rehabilitation resources, and innovative methods for health education and publicity. This training was practical and full of valuable information. It not only updated our professional knowledge but also clarified the clear path for us to carry out hearing health services for the elderly. The gains were so great! A participant from a primary medical institution said. This training effectively enhanced the professional quality and practical ability of the participants, laying a solid foundation for building a high-quality and professional elderly hearing health service team.

Through multi-party collaboration and synergy, we jointly paint a "happy picture" of elderly health

From the warm care of free medical consultations in the community to the intellectual exchanges in the academic hall, the successful holding of the event in Wuhan is a vivid portrayal of the joint efforts of multiple forces to build a support network for elderly hearing health. The policy guidance of the National Health Commission, the professional organization of academic societies, the resource support of hospitals, and the precise connection of communities have enabled the service concept of "centering on the needs of the elderly" to take root and thrive. This not only provides convenient and high-quality health services for the elderly but also builds an important platform for cross-field and cross-regional collaboration and communication.