By Virginia Siebella
Families in Machakos County now have improved access to early hearing detection services following the installation of an Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) machine at Wamunyu Level 3 Hospital.
The equipment was donated by the Global Foundation for Children with hearing Loss in partnership with Kenya Connect and the Machakos County Goverment . It is the first of its kind in subcounty hospitals in the area, eliminating the need for parents to travel more than 25 kilometers to for similar services.
To commemorate World Hearing Day, the hospital conducted free hearing screenings, examining at least 90 children in a single day. The exercise revealed that a significant number were suffering from excessive earwax buildup, a condition that can cause hearing impairment if left untreated.
One parent, Sarah Sammy, said she had struggled for over a year to understand why her seven-year-old son could not respond when spoken to. “I thought he was ignoring me, but it was actually a hearing problem,” she said. Medical personnel discovered large amounts of wax blocking both ears. Specialists later removed the buildup, restoring his hearing.
James Musyoka, Co Founder and Executive Director Kenya Connect, underscored the importance of early detection, calling for policies that would make hearing screening mandatory for newborns. He noted that timely intervention enables children to develop language skills and transition smoothly into mainstream schooling.
Paige Stringer, founder of the Global Foundation for Children with Hearing Loss, said the organization’s mission is to ensure early identification of hearing challenges, adding that many parents remain unaware of the importance of screening.
ENT specialist Dr. David Musau cautioned parents against attempting to clean children’s ears at home, warning that improper methods often push wax deeper into the ear canal and worsen the condition. He urged families to seek professional care at health facilities.
The introduction of the OAE machine at Wamunyu Level 3 Hospital marks a significant step in strengthening early childhood healthcare services, ensuring children in the area can now access hearing screening closer to home.
