Tag: Listen To This initiative

Summary:Ahead of the “Listen To This” event in Washington, D.C., GN Group’s Peter Aksel Villadsen discusses how the global movement is driving awareness of hearing health as essential to cognitive function, healthy aging, and overall wellbeing. Key Takeaways: Global health initiative: Listen To This unites healthcare, research, and policy leaders to elevate hearing care as a preventive, person-centered component of global health. Policy and advocacy focus: The movement promotes integrating hearing health into healthy aging and primary care frameworks to reduce dementia risk and improve quality of life. Professional engagement: Hearing care professionals can access training, patient tools, and advocacy resources at listentothis.com to strengthen early intervention and awareness efforts. In advance of a Listen To This event in Washington DC to rally support for hearing and cognitive health, The Hearing Review’s Chief Editor Melanie Hamilton-Basich interviewed Peter Aksel Villadsen, senior vice president of Global Alliances, Ventures & Corporate Affairs at GN Group as well as a leader in the Listen To This movement, to discuss how Listen to This is working to increase global awareness of the importance of hearing health and how it affects overall health. The Hearing Review: For those who aren’t already familiar with it, what is the ListenTo This movement, and why is it important for hearing care professionals to be aware of it? Peter Aksel Villadsen: Listen To This is a global initiative that connects healthcare partners, academic institutions, policymakers, patient organizations, and advocacy groups to elevate hearing as a critical part of overall health and make it a global priority. A growing body of research confirms that addressing hearing loss early can protect brain function, support emotional wellbeing, and improve quality of life. Guided by this evidence, the movement raises awareness about the essential role hearing plays not just in communication, but in cognitive function, mental wellbeing, social connection, and healthy aging. Through research-based content, professional training, and cross-sector collaboration, Listen To This helps reframe hearing care as preventive, person-centered healthcare with far-reaching benefits. For hearing care professionals, we offer practical tools and communication strategies that make it easier to engage patients in meaningful conversations, drive earlier intervention, and demonstrate the broader health value of what they do every day. Because hearing health is vital to lifelong health. HR: Can you tell me about the upcoming event in D.C.? Who all is involved and what do you hope to accomplish? Villadsen: On November 5, 2025, we’re hosting an exclusive event titled “Hearing Loss and Cognitive Health: Addressing a Silent Risk of Dementia” at the Residence of the Royal Danish Ambassador in Washington, D.C.The evening will feature remarks from the Ambassador of Denmark, as well as perspectives from experts from Johns Hopkins University, AARP and GN Group’s Chief Audiology Officer, Dr Laurel Christensen. We’ll also be joined by select members of Congress, healthcare partners, and thought leaders.Our goal is to strengthen cross-sector relationships and drive dialogue about hearing loss as a modifiable risk factor for dementia. This is about shaping a new health agenda. One that recognizes good hearing as essential to healthy aging and cognitive resilience. HR: What policy shifts do you believe could aid the organization's efforts? Villadsen: We see a real opportunity for policy to reflect what science already tells us: hearing health is a foundation of overall health and well-being. We aim to make hearing care accessible and prioritized as an essential part of health policy by driving awareness of hearing’s impact on quality of life, embedding hearing health into broader healthcare systems, and encouraging earlier identification and intervention. Policies that support these efforts, such as integrating hearing into healthy aging and primary care frameworks, strengthening collaboration across healthcare disciplines, and incentivizing regular screenings, can make a profound difference. By bringing together policymakers, researchers, and patient advocates, Listen To This aims to inspire legislation that helps everyone access the hearing care they need by making hearing a recognized part of overall health. HR: How is Listen To This addressing recent findings about the connection between dementia and hearing loss? Villadsen: Our movement is grounded in connections like these. Research such as the landmark ACHIEVE study shows that treating hearing loss can slow cognitive decline by up to 48% for those at higher risk of developing dementia. We use such findings to inform both our advocacy and educational content, helping hearing care professionals communicate the broader health implications of hearing care to patients, caregivers, and communities.Through storytelling, research dissemination, and collaboration with leading experts, we aim to shift hearing care from a reactive service to a preventive health measure and an essential part of maintaining quality of life. HR: Can you share some examples of how audiologists and other hearing care professionals can utilize the Listen To This initiative to help their patients? Villadsen: Hearing care professionals can leverage Listen To This in several ways:- Education: Watch our Masterclass and acquire the knowledge foundation to use our online resources and patient materials to incorporate brain and overall health into your patient care. - Engagement: Share stories and evidence from our campaigns to spread more awareness and motivate patients to act early.- Advocacy: Join the movement to push for better access and awareness in local communities by leveraging Listen To This as a conversation starter and agenda setter.With these actions, professionals can help position hearing care as a cornerstone of healthy aging, supporting better outcomes in communication, mental wellbeing, and overall quality of life. HR: Where can HCPs go to find out more about LISTEN TO THIS? Villadsen: Professionals can visit www.listentothis.com to access the latest research and tailored insights, sign up for our free, CEU-accredited Masterclass, and access our guides and tools that help bring health into patient conversations. HR: What’s next for Listen To This following the Washington event? Following the D.C. event, we’ll continue expanding our network of partners and creating content that empowers both professionals and policymakers. In 2026, we plan to launch a new Masterclass and begin engaging the general public more directly. All of this supports our mission to make hearing health a recognized foundation of lifelong health and wellbeing—and a global public health priority.

Tag: Listen To This initiative

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Q&A: Listen To This Putting Hearing at the Heart of Healthy Aging Conversations

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