Accessibility and rights initiatives target global hearing loss challenges

Global initiatives and research projects are addressing the needs of the estimated 430 million people living with disabling hearing loss. The World Health Organization predicts this number could rise to 700 million by 2050.

In observance of International Week of the Deaf, which runs from September 21 to 27, emphasis is being placed on human rights and the recognition of sign languages. While Italy legally recognized Italian Sign Language (LIS) in 2021, practical barriers remain; for instance, Istat reports that only 17% of schools provided visual signals for students with hearing impairments during the 2023-2024 academic year.

In Spain, the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) is conducting the 'Vibra' research project. Led by researcher Claudia Elizabeth Goyes Yepez and funded by the Ramón Areces Foundation, the study explores how music can be experienced through multisensory stimulation. The project evaluates tools such as vibrating vests, magnetic loops, sign language interpretation, and the interaction of visual, tactile, and olfactory senses to create more inclusive musical experiences.