Kenyatta National Hospital has announced a major milestone following the successful activation of the Cochlear Implant devices among children who were born with a severe hearing loss, enabling many to have their first exposure to sound in their lifetime.
This accomplishment followed months of complex and carefully conducted surgeries, marking one of the largest cochlear implant programmes ever undertaken in a public health facility in Kenya.
The moment was both emotional and life-changing for the many families gathered at the hospital during the activation: parents who watched in utter unbelief and tears as children reacted to sound for the very first time, either startled, overwhelmed, or breaking into smiles.
One mother, holding back tears, talked about how the hearing condition of her daughter had led their lives as a family.
“When visiting the hospital, even going to the bathroom meant I had to take my daughter with me due to safety concerns,” she said. “I could never leave her alone.”
Many of the families depended on hearing aids, only to be informed that these devices were inadequate for their children’s conditions. Though effective, cochlear implants have remained unaffordable for most families due to their high cost.
Audiologists at KNH switched on the implants several months after the surgeries were completed, evoking a range of strong reactions among the children.
Dr Isaac Wahome, an audiologist at KNH, said the first activation is always an experience.
“Hearing doesn’t happen in an instant,” he said. “Some children are startled by the new sounds, some burst into tears and others show visible happiness. Each child’s reaction is different.”
So far, 25 of these children have had their cochlear implant devices activated and were reported by hospital officials to have no complications.
According to KNH, implants were donated; surgical and follow-up provided under the SHA, which was free, making the programme accessible to families who otherwise would not afford the treatment.
Hospital officials have now called upon partners, donors, and well-wishers to support the initiative so that more children with hearing loss can benefit from the life-changing gadget.
In Kenya, hearing loss among children remains a significant public health challenge. About 14 of every 1,000 children in Kenya have a moderate to severe hearing impairment, a rate much higher compared with those in high-income countries.
Health experts attribute the condition to a range of causes including congenital infections such as rubella, toxoplasmosis and HIV in addition to preterm birth, neonatal jaundice, recurrent ear infection, along with the usage of certain medications.
But to the families at KNH, those statistics faded into the background as their children took their first steps into a world filled with sound: a moment many had once thought impossible.
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Tears of Joy at KNH as Deaf Children Hear for the First Time After Landmark Medical Breakthrough
There were tears, gasps, and quiet smiles at Kenyatta National Hospital as children who were born with profound hearing loss experienced sound for the first time, after successful activation of cochlear implant devices.
This milestone comes after months of complex surgeries that were performed at the national referral hospital, in what doctors say is one of the largest cochlear implant programmes ever executed at a public healthcare facility in Kenya.
The moment was overwhelming for parents. Many were standing close to their children, watching every reaction as the devices were switched on – a mix of surprise, fear, curiosity, and joy playing out on young faces.
One mother related how her daughter’s condition had made her be always on the lookout.
“Even when I came to the hospital and wanted to go to the bathroom, I had to go with my child because I could not leave her alone,” she said tearfully. “Today seeing her responding to sound feels like a miracle.”
A number of the children before being referred for cochlear implants, tried hearing aids with little or no improvement. Although the cochlear implants have been proven to be effective in the treatment of many cases of hearing loss, the high cost has still made them out of reach for many families.
It was only after the surgeries were completed that KNH specialists finally activated the devices in the young patients many months later.
Dr Isaac Wahome, an audiologist in the hospital, said not every child has the first encounter with sound in the same way.
“Some children are startled by the unfamiliar sounds, others cry, and some show excitement,” he said. “Hearing develops gradually, and what we see at activation is just the beginning of a longer journey.”
Results to date show that 25 children have been switched on uneventfully.
Hospital officials said the implants were donated, while surgeries and related care were covered under the SHA, making the programme accessible to families who otherwise would not have been able to afford it.
To that effect, KNH has now appealed to development partners, donors, and benefactors to support and expand the programme so that more children living with hearing loss can benefit. Hearing impairment in childhood remains one of the most widespread public health problems in Kenya.
According to health professionals, an estimated 14 out of every 1,000 children have moderate to severe hearing loss-a number much greater than in high-income countries. The disease is often related to congenital infections such as congenital rubella, toxoplasmosis and HIV.
It also appears in cases of preterm birth, neonatal jaundice, recurring ear infections and after treatment with some drugs.