In a significant move to promote early hearing care and protect the future of children with hearing challenges, the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), in collaboration with Nigerbell Hearing Centres Ltd, commemorated the 2026 World Hearing Day with a free hearing screening exercise for selected school children with disabilities in Lagos.
The initiative, held on March 3, 2026, at Nigerbell Hearing Centres in Ikeja, brought together health professionals, caregivers, and disability advocates in a united effort to prioritize the hearing health of children. The event aligned with the global theme for this year’s observance, “From Communities to Classrooms: Hearing Care for All Children,” highlighting the urgent need to ensure that every child has access to hearing care services that enable them to learn, communicate, and thrive.
World Hearing Day is globally recognized as a platform for raising awareness about hearing loss, promoting ear and hearing care, and advocating for accessible hearing health services for people of all ages—especially children, whose early development can be significantly affected by undetected hearing impairments.
Prioritizing Early Detection
Welcoming guests and participants to the event, audiologist Dr. Barnabas Bem Vangerwua emphasized the critical importance of early hearing care, particularly during childhood.
Dr. Vangerwua explained that hearing loss that goes undetected in children can have profound consequences on their speech development, educational progress, and social interaction.
According to him, many children with hearing difficulties struggle silently in classrooms because their hearing challenges are not identified early enough.
“Hearing care for all children is not just a health issue; it is a development issue,” he said. “When hearing loss is detected early, interventions can be put in place that allow the child to develop speech, participate fully in learning, and interact confidently with others.”
He urged parents and caregivers to ensure that newborn babies undergo hearing screening immediately after birth to determine their hearing status.
Dr. Vangerwua stressed that early testing plays a vital role in identifying hearing challenges before they begin to affect a child’s communication skills and academic development.
“The earlier we identify hearing loss, the better the outcomes for the child,” he explained. “With prompt diagnosis and intervention, children with hearing impairments can lead fulfilling and productive lives.”
Call for Routine Hearing Screening in Primary Healthcare
Beyond the screening exercise, Dr. Vangerwua also used the occasion to advocate for stronger health policies that integrate hearing care into routine healthcare services.
He called on government authorities and health stakeholders to make hearing screening a standard component of primary healthcare services across Lagos State.
According to him, such a step would significantly increase access to early diagnosis and treatment for children with hearing challenges.
“If hearing screening becomes a routine practice in our primary healthcare centres, parents will have easier access to early diagnosis and intervention,” he said. “This will ensure that children with hearing impairments receive the support they need at the right time.”
Health experts at the event also highlighted that hearing loss among children often goes unnoticed until it begins to affect learning and communication, making routine screening an essential tool for early detection.
Supporting Children Through Hearing Care
The free screening exercise offered children an opportunity to undergo professional hearing assessments conducted by trained specialists. For many parents and caregivers present, the initiative provided both relief and hope, as it created access to services that are often expensive or unavailable.
Experts noted that children who are diagnosed early can benefit from appropriate support systems, including hearing aids, speech therapy, and specialized educational support.
Organizations like Nigerbell have continued to play a critical role in bridging the gap between diagnosis and treatment by providing comprehensive hearing healthcare services.
Nigerbell’s Commitment to Hearing Health
Nigerbell Hearing Centres Ltd is widely recognized as one of Nigeria’s leading hearing healthcare providers. The centre specializes in the prevention, identification, assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of hearing difficulties in both adults and children.
Its services include comprehensive hearing assessments, professional consultations, hearing aid prescriptions, fittings, and adjustments tailored to the specific needs of patients.
By partnering with LASODA to mark World Hearing Day, Nigerbell reaffirmed its commitment to promoting hearing health and ensuring that more children with hearing challenges receive the care and support they need.
Strengthening Disability Inclusion Through Health Initiatives
The collaboration between LASODA and Nigerbell reflects a growing recognition that disability inclusion must extend beyond policy discussions to tangible actions that improve lives.
Through initiatives like the free hearing screening, stakeholders are working to ensure that children with disabilities are not left behind in access to healthcare and education.
Advocates at the event stressed that hearing care is essential not only for health but also for inclusion, as children who can hear and communicate effectively are better able to participate fully in school and society.
As the world continues to commemorate World Hearing Day, stakeholders emphasized that ensuring hearing care for all children—from communities to classrooms—is not just a goal but a responsibility that requires sustained commitment from governments, healthcare providers, and communities alike.
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