World Hearing Day

By: Dr.(MED) Eunice Rabiatu Abdulai,

(FGCS,FWACS,HEAD of ENT unit GHS).

Email: eunice.abdulai@ghs.gov.gh 

Phone Number;0209146449

GHS is proudly celebrating its 4th National World Hearing Day this week, from 2nd to 5th March 2026. Our staff are encouraged to raise awareness of ear and hearing care in their facilities, communities, schools, radio and television stations, and in person or via Webner presentations as part of our tradition of celebration.

The theme for 2026 is "From Communities to Classrooms: Hearing Care for All Children".

Act now so no child is left behind due to ear or hearing problems’.

  The clear objective for 2026 is to integrate systematic screening and early intervention programmes into school and child health plans. This approach is guaranteed to yield better outcomes for children facing ear and hearing issues.

The WHO has confirmed that 90 million children and teenagers aged 5-19 years live with hearing loss. It is clear that more than 60% of childhood hearing loss is preventable through simple, cost-effective public health measures. It is crucial that those living with ear disease or hearing loss are identified and cared for early. This is because it prevents long-term impacts on development, education and future opportunities.

Our target audience this year is clear: students and parents, school authorities and teachers, school owners and government officials, health managers, the Ministry of Health and the public.

Students and Parents:

·       Ensure that all ear problems are referred to the hospital.

Schools, authorities and teachers:

·       Teachers must pay close attention to children experiencing difficulties in class due to hearing loss.

·       They must face the children when talking to them. This will help the children to pick up words through lip reading. They must also avoid speaking very fast in class.

·       Children with hearing loss must sit in the front seat.

School Owners and Government:

·       The FM, infrared, Roger or hearing-loop systems must be provided in schools to ensure that students with hearing aids can hear clearly.

·       Teachers must learn how to teach so that those with hearing loss can follow.

Health Managers and Hospital Staff:

·       Pay close attention to patients who may not hear when called in to see a doctor at the OPD.

·       It is vital to provide support for ear and hearing care in their facility. This must include space and equipment for hearing assessment, speech therapy and ENT clinical care.

·       It is vital to provide ear and hearing care screening throughout life.

·       The FM, infrared, Roger or hearing loops system must be provided in the hospital to help patients with hearing aids hear clearly.

MoH  :

·       It is essential that ear and hearing care is made a priority. Audiologists and speech therapists must be employed in GHS.

Public(Opinion Leaders, members of the community& relevant stakeholders  ):

•       It is clear that hearing loss in children is a health problem, not a spiritual one.

•       It is important to understand that there are many causes of hearing loss in children, and the good news is that there is a variety of management options.

•       Parents and the community must take responsibility for seeking healthcare solutions for their children.