International Society of Audiology

Suzanne C. Purdy is a true international audiologist, having made substantial contributions to the profession of audiology in New Zealand and globally over her 30-plus year career.
After earning her PhD at the University of Iowa, she helped establish New Zealand’s first audiology master’s program and then spent three years as senior research scientist at National Acoustic Laboratories in Sydney, Australia.
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The World report on hearing envisions a world in which no individual experiences hearing loss due to preventable causes, and those with hearing loss can achieve their full potential through rehabilitation, education and empowerment.

The reports are available as PDF downloads:

Hearing is essential for human development and for the perception of our environment. It is important for spoken communication, learning, socio-emotional functioning and it warns us of potential danger.

Recent studies suggest that more than 5% of the world’s population has disabling hearing impairment (WHO), with the prevalence increasing from 50% to 90% between the age of 60 to 90 years. This places a burden on human health and society.

The impact of hearing impairment

Hearing impairment is a hidden disease that is not visible to others and it often develops gradually from mid-life onwards. To address hearing impairment in a timely manner it is of paramount importance to screen the hearing of babies at birth, of school-age children and thereafter, at regular intervals up to the last decade of life. Over the past decades several cost-effective methods and resources have been developed which should be implemented and shared globally to provide equal opportunities for all.

Irreversible hearing damage by loud noises

Hearing screening should go together with awareness campaigns on the irreversible damage caused by exposure to loud noise and the multitude of preventive actions, such as wearing protective headphones/ear buds and promoting a healthy lifestyle. Persons who are at risk of hearing loss should have their hearing checked regularly.

World Hearing Day 2021 marks the launch of the World Report of Hearing, presenting a global call for action to address hearing loss and ear diseases across the life course. This is highly endorsed by the International Society of Audiology (ISA) that supports global development of Hearing Science and International Hearing Healthcare.

The Executive Board of the World Health Organization(WHO) at its 148th session in January 2021 decided to maintain the International Society of Audiology (ISA) in official relations with WHO.

Click here to download the notification

Click here to download the notification from WHO with regards to the list of non-state actors in relations with WHO

The General Assembly of the ISA was held via Zoom on the 14 December 2020. The minutes of the meeting are available to the members when logging into the self-serve platform.

Details of the new executive board are available by clicking here

Congratulations to Soul, Korea as the successful bidders of the 2026 WCA.

Congratulations to the WCA Scholarship Awardees