Latest stats:The Hearing Avasar! Project

Everyone deserves medical care

SafeHavens has partnered with the RHERI Community Home in Nepal to create the Hearing Avasar! Project. This project plays a crucial role in assessing and treating the health needs of 43 deaf and hard-of-hearing children, many of which have never been evaluated by an ENT specialist.

Our team has been working with our in-country partners for the past year to understand the children’s functional hearing and means to maximize their social communication skills. This work has been in consultation with US-based auditory experts.

How’s it progressing so far?

• Each child has been interviewed individually to:
  • identify their hearing history and current hearing capabilities.
  • identify symptoms of possible ear infections that have been previously untreated.
• All 43 children have completed a biopsychosocial assessment and treatment plan that indicates need for medical evaluation by an ENT.
• Key staff members have been trained in ear anatomy and possible medical interventions.
• To help prepare the children for their ear-health journey, they will participate in educational sessions to learn about their ears:
  • The first presentation will be on ear anatomy and sensation.
  • The second presentation will focus on what they can expect when they visit the medical facility.

What does the Hearing Avasar! Project need?

• For each child to get the help they deserve, the cost is approximately US$800 per child. This cost covers:
• Complete medical care at a large Kathmandu hospital
• Travel, food and accommodation to Kathmandu
• Full time carers, Nepali sign language interpreters and support staff
• Aftercare treatment plans

As part of the aftercare treatment plans, it will be vital to have speech language pathologists to assist children in learning to use their new hearing capacities. This can include learning to yell for safety or learning to recognize speech with a hearing aid.

How can you help?

You can help by making a donation, sharing this story with your friends and family, and following us on social media.

Many of these children may be eligible for simple surgical procedures that could radically change their access to hearing and spoken language.

Previously, we have had wonderful success with ear surgeries with children in Pokhara, and with your help, can provide the same opportunities for the children at the RHERI Community Home.

Your support can make this possible.