Organization: Hui’er Tanzania Hearing Technology and Service Company Limited
Title: World Hearing Month
Al title (for format and translation – not permanent:
World Hearing Month
Description:
School and community hearing screening.
In the month of March, we had visited 3 schools and 2 health camps for hearing awareness and screening. We covered the following topics: ear health, safe listening, how to identify oneself or others with hearing challenges, myths regarding hearing loss as well as what can be done if they are with hearing loss.
A total of 534 people screened, whereby, 212 patients (39.70%) were found with hearing loss ranging from Mild hearing loss (+20dB) to total deafness (+95dB). Most patients with hearing loss were identified in the health camps where by the majority were adults over 60 years of age, with other related health conditions such as Hypertension, Diabetes but there was observation of presbycusis which was identified by the sloping configuration in the hearing test.
Primary site: AFR – United Republic of Tanzania
Region: AFR
Impactful Story:
Most elderly patients came with a complaint of hearing challenges occasionally. Upon examination, it was seen that their hearing was either normal or mild SNHL. When asked when exactly do they experience hearing challenges? It was found out that hearing challenges occur when stressed, upset, etc. We asked whether they had history of any Chronic illness? Most responded to have never checked before, upon examination, it was identified that majority of them had readings not less than 140/95 which explained situational fluctuation of hearing accompanied with presbycusis. Counselling on management of both hearing and hypertension was provided to them.
General Photos
Social media and local government involvement
People involvement in health checking including hearing
Awareness in both sign language and speech
Hearing screening
Types of Engagement:
Live event: No
Screening: Yes
Traditional media: Yes
Social media: Yes
Special needs populations: persons with disabilities (including hearing loss), 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: No