As World Hearing Day approaches on 3 March 2026, deaf children and young deaf adults who have benefited from Auditory Verbal therapy, alongside their families, are asking the UK Government to hear them now. Many are sharing powerful video messages calling on government ministers to take action and make national guidance on Auditory Verbal therapy a reality.

Now, we need your help to ensure every deaf child in the UK has the opportunity to access this evidence-based support.

Write to your MP or local representative today

Why World Hearing Day Matters

World Hearing Day is an annual global awareness day led by the World Health Organization (WHO) raises awareness of deafness and hearing loss and this year's theme is ‘hearing care for all children’. This year, AVUK is using the moment to urge governments across the UK to ensure all families, whether they wish to use spoken language, sign language or both, can access vital early, effective support to develop language and communication skills.

The Issue

For families who want their deaf child to learn to listen and speak, Auditory Verbal therapy is delivering excellent outcomes. But currently more than 85% of deaf children under five still can’t access Auditory Verbal therapy. This inequality must end.

AVUK’s Hear Us Now campaign is calling on UK governments to issue national guidance for Auditory Verbal therapy. This guidance would set out a clear, consistent framework for delivering this evidence-based approach within local publicly funded service to young deaf children whose families want them to learn to listen and talk, ensuring equality of access and a sustainable approach. 

One Year On: Still No Progress

It has now been almost one year (10 March 2025) since AVUK and 10‑year‑old Sam Callaghan - who learnt to listen and talk thanks to Auditory Verbal therapy - met with Stephen Kinnock MP, Minister of State for Care. At that meeting, the Minister agreed to explore the development of national guidance. Despite this commitment, no progress has yet been made.

Families are still facing a postcode lottery, and the vast majority of deaf children are still unable to access Auditory Verbal therapy.

How You Can Help

Ahead of World Hearing Day 2026, we are asking supporters to take one simple action with enormous impact:

👉 Write to your MP or local representative

Ask them to support the creation of national guidance for Auditory Verbal therapy, and to call on government ministers to act without delay.

Together, we can end the postcode lottery of access to Auditory Verbal therapy.