Struggles of Parents Whose Children Have Hearing Loses 

The journey of parents whose children are diagnosed with hearing loss is a tortuous one, filled with uncertainty, fear, and financial burden.

Despite the challenges, these parents remain determined to give their children a chance to hear and live a normal life.

In this special report, we highlight the stories of three families who have been affected by hearing loss and their struggles to access treatment.

Naseer’s mother, Mrs. Suliyah Abiona, noticed that her son was not reacting to sounds when he was two years old. After a series of tests, Naseer was diagnosed with severe hearing loss.

The family’s search for a solution led them to a cochlear implant, which was estimated to cost around N10 million. Despite the financial burden, the family was determined to give Naseer a chance to hear.

With the help of crowdfunding and support from friends and family, they were able to raise the funds for the surgery.

Oreoluwa’s parents noticed that their daughter was not making sounds or reacting to noise when she was nearing her first birthday. After a series of tests, Oreoluwa was diagnosed with severe bilateral hearing loss. The family’s economic situation made it difficult for them to afford the treatment, but they were determined to give their daughter a chance to hear. With the help of the Lagos State Government’s cochlear implant program, Oreoluwa underwent the surgery and was fitted with a cochlear implant.

Dr. Samuel Ochenehi’s journey with hearing loss began when he woke up in a hospital bed and realized he could no longer hear. The diagnosis was devastating, but Dr. Ochenehi was determined to regain his hearing. He underwent a cochlear implant surgery and was able to hear again. Dr. Ochenehi’s experience with hearing loss led him to pursue a career in ENT surgery, and he is now a Fellow of the West African College of Surgeons.

The families’ stories highlight the challenges faced by parents of children with hearing loss in Nigeria. The cost of treatment is a significant burden, and many families struggle to afford the necessary care. The dearth of ENT specialists and the lack of proper newborn screening and physician examination are major contributing factors to the burden of hearing loss in the country.

Experts have called for an increase in the number of ENT specialists in Nigeria, as well as an improvement in healthcare accessibility. They also emphasize the importance of early detection and intervention, as well as the need for comprehensive data to support the development of effective treatment plans.

By highlighting the stories of these families, we hope to raise awareness about the challenges faced by parents of children with hearing loss and the need for support and resources to help them access the care they need.