Organization: Tanzania Grandparents Care Organization (TAGCO)
Title: From Mines to Minds: Digital Hearing Screening for Children in Mining-Affected Schools of Nyamongo
Al title (for format and translation – not permanent:
From mines to minds: digital hearing screening for children in mining-affected schools of Nyamongo
Description:
The Tanzania Grandparents Care Organization (TAGCO) will organize a community and school-based event in Nyamongo Ward, Tarime District, Mara Region, to commemorate World Hearing Day 2026 under the theme “From communities to classrooms: hearing care for all children.” The event will focus on raising awareness about preventable childhood hearing loss and promoting early identification of hearing problems among children living in mining-affected communities.
The celebration will be conducted in selected primary and secondary schools and will include hearing health education sessions, interactive school assemblies, and practical demonstrations on ear care and safe listening practices. WHO World Hearing Day awareness materials will be used to support the sessions and ensure that children, teachers, parents, and community members receive accurate and accessible information about hearing health.
An age-appropriate hearing screening approach will be implemented during the event. Younger primary school children will be screened using portable audiometers operated by trained facilitators to ensure child-friendly and reliable testing. Adolescents and secondary school students will be screened using the WHO-approved HearWHO digital application, which also helps promote digital awareness of hearing health among young people. Children identified with possible hearing difficulties will be referred to nearby primary health facilities for further assessment and care.
In addition, the event will include engagement sessions with teachers, local health workers, and ward-level education and health representatives to emphasize the importance of integrating routine ear and hearing screening into school health programs. Through these activities, the event aims to strengthen collaboration between schools, families, and local health services while encouraging early action to protect children’s hearing and support their ability to learn and succeed.
Primary site: AFR – United Republic of Tanzania
Region: AFR
Impactful Story:
In Nyamongo, a mother noticed that her four-year-old son often complained of ear pain and did not respond when called. During a community hearing screening activity, she brought him for examination. The screening suggested a possible ear infection, and he was referred to a nearby health facility where he was diagnosed with otitis media. After receiving treatment and guidance on ear hygiene, his condition improved and he began responding normally to sounds. The experience helped the mother understand the importance of early detection. She now encourages other parents to seek medical care when children show signs of ear problems.
General Photos
A young girl describing the world hearing day poster
Results of the hearing screening using the hearWHO app
a woman with hard of hearing undergoing hearing screening
Advising a hard of hearing student to use hearing aid
Types of Engagement:
Live event: No
Screening: Yes
Traditional media: No
Social media: Yes
Special needs populations: children and adolescents, older adults
Met with individual policymaker: Yes
Participation of policy makers: Yes
Participation of influencers: No
WHO technical tool used: Yes
WHO educational and social media used: Yes