Ethiopia Faces Hearing Health Crisis Amid Limited Medical Resources
Over 5 million Ethiopians suffer from hearing impairments, worsened by a shortage of medical facilities, though the East Africa Hearing Aid Center is making strides by supplying hearing aids to children, opening doors to education and better lives.
In Ethiopia, it is reported that over 5 million people live with hearing impairments.
The World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that one in five people globally has some form of hearing impairment. The East Africa Hearing Aid Center has highlighted that Ethiopia lacks adequate medical facilities to diagnose, treat, and provide solutions for ear-related health issues.
As in many developing countries like Ethiopia, the majority of citizens face hearing impairments due to both natural and artificial causes. The problem is not just the occurrence of these impairments but also the lack of comprehensive medical institutions to properly diagnose and treat ear patients, as stated by Mr. Abara Nega, the director of the East Africa Hearing Aid Center, in an interview with Bsrat Radio and Television.
Mr. Abara also mentioned that supporting children who have lost their hearing ability with hearing aid devices has transformative effects on their lives. It has been reported that many children in Ethiopia with hearing impairments are excluded from educational opportunities.
Globally, for the 18th time and in Ethiopia for the 7th time, International Hearing Day is being observed under the theme “ለጆሮና ለማዳመጥ አቅም ጥንቃቄ ለማድረግ ራስን በዕውቀት ማጎልበት እውን ይሁን,” emphasizing the importance of awareness and education on hearing health.
Sources
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