Hearing loss can be caused by genetics as well as by simple ear infections. Oftentimes in rural areas, people experience hearing loss due to an untreated ear infection. Children, who would be able to hear with hearing aids, go unaided for years or for their entire lives.
ALF-YKIP has funded a mobile clinic that plans to go to every PUSKESMAS on Bali (and this is a multi-year project as there are 127 clinics on the island) on an at least a weekly basis with a number of trained medical personnel. Anyone is able to visit the mobile clinic at no cost.
The PUSKESMAS Outreach Program is headed by Sanglah Hospital THT physicians Dr. Eka Putrawan and Dr. Wayan Suardana. The development of an Indonesian National Initiative that is focused on Hearing Health has brought major attention to hearing issues as well as making procuring of permission to go into the villages much easier. Rural area health districts are being individually consulted with the assistance of the Ministry of Health and Doctors to establish specific concerns and needs.
Activities that are conducted in this project:
- Medical treatment of ear disease and infection resulting in improved hearing health in rural areas
- Screening of infant hearing status and early identification of hearing loss in infants and young children and early intervention of hearing loss through the use of hearing aids where appropriate
- Follow-up for identified hearing losses resulting in a decrease in permanent hearing losses due to treatable ear disease
- Community education about hearing and hearing health
- Timely and affordable access to medical services
- Resources to enable THT Physicians to provide rural services including travel, equipment, supplies, nursing staff, drivers, administrative support
- Data gathering for statistical analysis by medical staff resulting in the development of a provincial data resource for analysis and future planning
- Training seminars for medical staff
This project is made possible through funding by:
Greg Evans and family of Australia for their monthly donations to help offset costs in the Guided Study after school program for first graders.
Chris and Mary Hill of Perth, Australia held a joint Garden Party Fundraiser with ABC Radio and raised funds for the hearing programs.
The Fischer family of Switzerland for sponsoring hearing aids for nine children in the SLBB schools
