A month ago, I was fortunate enough to participate in a transformative project aimed at addressing the pressing issue of hearing loss in Eritrea initiated by a young woman named Winta Berhane.
Winta Berhane is a college student studying to be a Hearing Instrument Specialist at George Brown College in Canada. Driven by a desire to help her community, Winta partnered with her instructor, Professor Adam Perrie, and the Eritrean Hearing and Visually Impaired (EHVI) to bring much-needed hearing aids to Eritrea. Professor Perrie played a crucial role by rallying support from other clinics, ensuring a generous donation of brand-new hearing aids and essential equipment needed to tune and fit them.
After securing about 23 pairs of hearing aids and associated tools, including two laptops with the necessary software, Winta reached out to the EHVI in April and, in less than a month, plans were set to come to Eritrea.
The EHVI is a non-profit organization founded in 2015, with a mission to empower individuals with hearing and visual impairments. It is a collaborative network of Eritreans from the United States, Canada, Europe, and Eritrea dedicated to improving the lives of those facing these challenges.
The EHVI’s support in turning Winta’s project into a reality was indispensable. A delegation from the organization, namely, Araia Ephrem and Yordanos Abraham, arrived in Eritrea on June 12, 2024, to orchestrate the time-consuming process of identifying potential recipients, handling financial logistics, and coordinating with the ENT center. An important component of this initiative involved providing audiometry test, which was conducted at the Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Center of Orotta National Referral Hospital, and sharing the results with Winta prior to her arrival. Twenty hearing-impaired individuals were identified by the Eritrean National Deaf Association (EriNAD) as potential candidates for the project. This exhaustive groundwork was crucial, as Winta’s stay in Eritrea was limited to just two weeks.
For almost every day of her two-week stay here, Winta worked closely with Dr. Alem Tekly, one of the leading otolaryngologists in Eritrea, Amine, an experienced audiometry specialist, and Soliana, a student just starting out at the ENT center. For the latter two, especially, the goal was to learn as much as possible about the fitting process as they will be the ones who will continue using the tuning software to calibrate and fit hearing aids for other patients when Winta returns to Canada.
Winta’s generous donation includes 23 sets of hearing aids, a combination of Behind-the-Ear (BTE) and Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) models. While both aimed to improve hearing, their designs and suitability differed significantly. BTE aids, characterized by a large case worn behind the ear, offered powerful amplifications – making them ideal for individuals with severe hearing loss. To ensure optimal comfort, performance, and ease of use, particularly for those with dexterity challenges, Winta meticulously crafted custom earmolds for each BTE recipient.
RIC aids, on the other hand, provided a more discreet option with a smaller case and a thin wire connecting to a receiver placed with the ear canal. While suitable for mild to moderate hearing loss, their power output is less than that of the BTE models. Users might require an adjustment period due to the receiver’s placement in the ear canal. Additionally, RIC aids are more susceptible to moisture damage and often rely on compact remote controls.
Traditionally, earmolds have been mass-produced by large hearing aid companies based on standardized measurements. This has led to a decline in hands-on earmold crafting skills among audiology professionals. However, due to the high number of BTE hearing aids in this donation, Winta had undergone specialized training thanks to the expertise and foresight of Professor Perrie. This ensured a perfect fit for each recipient of the BTE model.
Many of the candidates experienced a gradual onset of hearing loss starting from a young age. They would have started to speak and communicate well by the time their hearing deteriorated. Unfortunately, as their hearing declined, their education was inevitably disrupted. Keeping up with classroom instruction without adequate support became insurmountable, leading to significant limitations in securing and maintaining employment opportunities. The substantial cost of hearing aids further compounded the issue, making this life-changing technology an unattainable dream for many.
Winta’s considerate donation ensured that each recipient received a year’s supply of hearing aid batteries, significantly alleviating their financial burden moving forward.
By the end of the two weeks, the recipients, most of whom had gone years without hearing the chirping of birds, the laughter of children, or even the voices of their loved ones, were already excitedly talking over one another and happily participating in the goings-on of their surroundings.
Recognizing hearing loss can be a challenging process. Research suggests that individuals often take an average of seven years to acknowledge a significant decline in their hearing ability. Without a concerned loved one, friend, or colleague to raise the issue, this delay can lead to irreversible hearing damage. For children, the consequences can be particularly severe. If parents, siblings, or teachers fail to identify hearing difficulties, academic performance usually suffer due to challenges in following lessons and social interactions. This can result in dropping out of school and limited career opportunities, creating, for the individuals, a disheartening cycle of poverty and disadvantage.
Winta Berhane’s thoughtfulness and expertise, Professor Adam Perrie’s generous donations, the EHVI’s unwavering support, and the dedication of Eritrean medical professionals like Dr. Alem Teklu, Dr. Simon Haile, Mr. Amine Ghebregziabiher, and the entire ENT center staff as well as EriNAD all contributed to the success of this project. By providing essential hearing aids and training local professionals, the project has not only alleviated immediate suffering but also fostered a sustainable path to improved auditory health in the country.
Hearing loss, a truly invisible disability, is a pervasive issue affecting millions worldwide, often leading to isolation and diminished quality of life. Yet, as this project demonstrates, it is a challenge that can be addressed. There are countless individuals still waiting for the gift of sound. By continuing to invest in research, education, and advocacy, we can ensure that hearing loss is no longer a barrier to a fulfilling life.
The journey towards a world where everyone can participate fully in society begins with listening. It is up to us to listen to the voices of those affected by hearing loss, amplify their stories, and work tirelessly to create a future where everyone can hear and be heard.
Written by Sona Berhane
To find out more about what you can do to help, please visit the EHVI website at http://ehvi.net/.
You can also watch a documentary made depicting the process on the link below
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DpBvuimR6VwU&ved=2ahUKEwi_74a_-tqlAxXswAIHHUPXGU0Qo7QBegQIEBAG&usg=AOvVaw0hVszJmaONeYhXQrFw_aLV