Over 9,000 schoolchildren suffer from hearing disability, statistics from the National Assessment Resource Centre For Children with Special Needs & Disabilities attached to the Ghana Education Service (GES) has revealed.
According to Hajia Ramatu Alhassan, assessment officer at the centre, the number could be greater, as the statistics covered only those in schools that have been screened and registered at the centre for assistance.
“In statistics, we have over 9,000 children because in my centre we register and per our registration book, we have passed 9,000 children with hearing impairment, so you can imagine Korle-Bu when they also bring their records together,” she said.
Hajia Alhassan disclosed this during a free ear screening exercise for schoolchildren at the Kotobabi 3 Cluster of Schools as part of activities to commemorate the World Hearing Day themed: ‘Action For Hearing Loss: Make A Sound Investment’ on March 3.
The children were taken through the basic steps of screening for hearing disability which mostly go unnoticed.
“When we screen, we will be able to sort out and then identify the children who really need intervention so that we provide early intervention,” she added.
She further mentioned that the screening was in line with government’s inclusive education policy, where children with some level of special needs are allowed to join the main stream schools with some interventions like providing hearing aid for those with hearing problem.
Hajia Alhassan, however, called for increased government support in terms of human resources and hearing aid for children.
She advised the public to avoid putting cotton buds, broomsticks, feathers, pins and other materials in the ear.
“When I go to screen, sometimes we see stones in the ears so they should protect their children, any child who complains of hearing problem should be referred to the hospital,” she added.