Seeking specialist help is in itself a major step forward. On average, people with hearing loss wait 10 years before doing anything about it. Not only does this result in a seriously reduced quality of life but it also reduces the effectiveness of future treatments – if they ever do decide to seek solutions – as, over time, the brain "forgets" how to hear because it loses its ability to recognize everyday sounds.

The purpose of the Hear the World initiative is to encourage people to talk freely about hearing loss, and to consult a specialist if they need to do so.