The human auditory system is essential to our experience of the world, and its function touches on every aspect of life, including our safety, ability to communicate, recognition of auditory nonverbal cues, and appreciation of music, among others. However, the increasing prevalence of noise exposure and the aging of the world's population is contributing to the growing proportion of the global population who experience hearing loss. Recognizing the significance of this issue, the 2021 World report on hearing comprehensively described the state of ear and hearing care (EHC) globally and provided strategies to improve services (World Health Organization 2021). However, there remains a need to extend the reach of knowledge regarding global EHC, particularly to scientific communities that may not regularly interface with public or global health. The basic science research shared in Hearing Research is inextricably linked with health conditions and care at the population level, and it forms the basis for many of the interventions being scaled up to avert morbidity for millions worldwide. Through this article, we aim to provide the Hearing Research readership an overview of the current, updated status of ear and hearing care globally so that researchers can focus their future efforts towards promoting universal access to EHC.