Hearing for all – no one left behind

Mar 07, 2025 Letters

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Dear Editor

Every year on March 3rd, we join our sisters and brothers in observing World Hearing Day.

The theme for World Hearing Day 2025 is Changing mindsets: Empower yourself to make ear and hearing care a reality for all!

This year, as the Presidential Commission for the Prevention of NCDs in Guyana join our sisters and brothers around the world to observe this important day, we are joined by our colleagues in the Permanent Mission of Guyana and the Embassy of Guyana in Geneva, Switzerland.

We are joining with the Ministry of Health to spread awareness among our Guyanese sisters and brothers about hearing and taking care of our ears. We invite individuals of all ages to empower themselves to ensure healthy ears and hearing for themselves and others. By encouraging individuals to recognize the importance of ear and hearing health, this campaign aims to inspire them to change behaviour to protect their hearing from loud sounds and prevent hearing loss, check their hearing regularly, use hearing devices if needed, and support those living with hearing loss.

Guyana first observed World Hearing Day in 2007. While we have not been consistent in observing this important Day, Guyana continues to invest in increasing both the scope of services we provide in the public health sector and the quality of care. In addition, Guyana continues to expand availability and access to ensure that no one is left behind.

The Commission and our partners wish to commend the Government of Guyana and the MOH for expanding access to screening for hearing losses. In particular, we commend the GoG and the MOH for: • Audiological screening for all new born babies at GPHC and other hospitals in Guyana • Expansion of the hearing aid programme for persons diagnosed with disabling hearing losses.

The Commission recognises the effort of the small group of ENT doctors and the audiologists in Guyana who are trying to ensure that all new born babies are screened. We are aware of the vigorous efforts being made at the GPHC to ensure that all newborn babies are screened. The Commission also recognizes the joint School Health programme by the MOH and the Ministry of Education which includes screening of all children for vision and hearing. The screening programme in schools come with a guarantee that every child in need of glasses and hearing aid will be provided through the government funding programme. In 2023, the MOH screened almost 8,000 children in schools and provided 1,361 hearing aids for children.

One of the main causes of hearing loss is exposure to loud noise. This environmental factor has been a chronic problem in Guyana. While we have had interventions to address loud music in minibuses and from various community activities, such as from bars, these have been only partially effective. The Commission urges that the authorities implement the polices with greater vigilance. We urge the Ministry to ensure that all children and all persons over the age of 60 are screened for vision and hearing.

The Commission urges that no one should be left behind. Ear and hearing problems are among the most common health problems in any community. Over 60% of these can be identified and addressed at the primary level of care. Integration of ear and hearing care into primary care services is possible through training and capacity building at this level. Such integration will benefit people and help Guyana achieve our SDG goal of universal health coverage (UHC).

While progress has been made, effective integration of ear and hearing problems within the primary and secondary healthcare system remains a weak component in our Package of Services available. While GPHC continues to improve the scope of service for ear and hearing problems, efforts must also focus in expanding these services to the Regional Hospitals.

By 2030, over 500 million people are expected to have disabling-hearing loss requiring rehabilitation. This does not include the hundreds of millions of people who also have hearing losses that they are not aware of yet. Over one billion young people face the risk of permanent hearing loss due to prolonged exposure to loud sounds during recreational pastimes such as listening to music and video gameplay. How we hear in the future depends on how we care for our ears today as many cases of hearing loss can be avoided through the adoption of safe listening and good hearing care practices. For those living with hearing loss, early identification and access to timely rehabilitation are essential to achieving their highest potential. The Commission urges every citizen to participate in the government’s programme to promote good ear health and avoid hearing losses.

Regards

Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

Chairman, Presidential Commission on the Prevention of NCDs

 

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• Embassy of Guyana, Geneva, Government of Guyana, Permanent Mission of Guyana, Switzerland

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