Mrs Jeannette, with her four children, who received digital hearing aids in February 2024.
Photo by: UNICEF Rwanda
In Huye district, Rwanda, a family's life is transformed by the power of hearing. Mrs. Jeannette Mukanomero and Mr. Emmanuel Rucyeratabaro are parents to seven children, four of whom have hearing impairments.
Before receiving the hearing aids, the family faced numerous challenges including communicating with siblings, parents and classmates; poor performance at school; harassment and bullying; high cost of assistive devices, and limited access to essential support services.
With support from ATscale’s programme with UNICEF in Rwanda, through collaborative efforts involving community health workers, representatives of persons with disabilities, and healthcare providers, the family received comprehensive support encompassing assessments, device provision, and training. Then, on 22 February 2024, all four children received digital hearing aids, and now they actively participate in school.
"Our children are now communicating effectively with family and peers, overcoming previous isolation and misunderstandings," Mrs. Mukanomero shared. "They actively participate in lessons and discussions, their academic performance has improved, and they no longer face stigma or exclusion."
The World Health Organization cites visual and hearing impairments as two of the most common health conditions globally, affecting an estimated 1.5 billion and 2.2 billion people respectively. Although these impairments are evident worldwide, both hearing and vision impairments are four times higher in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) than in high-income countries.
"It is low- and middle-income countries that shoulder the highest burden," said Pascal Bijleveld, CEO of ATscale. "Only 10% of citizens in low-income countries are able to access the products they need, leading to millions of people today effectively 'locked-out' of education and the workforce."
Winsiga Ndumva, Ndanabona Programme: "Don't leave me behind, I can hear"
Since 2023, ATscale has been supporting the government of Rwanda through UNICEF in implementing a three-year hearing programme for school-aged children. Activities include screening and provision of services in eight districts, enabling access to assistive technology for children in rural areas.
Thanks to ATscale’s partnership with UNICEF, the cost for procuring hearing aids to school-aged children dropped significantly for the Rwanda Biomedical Center, the department leading AT provision for the Ministry of Health. This effort highlights the importance and impact of structured programmes on AT procurement and provision that focus on scale.
The programme has made significant progress.The procurement of high-tech audiology equipment, and training on ear and hearing care including screening, rehabilitation support, post-fitting follow-up for 45 education directors, 70 national champions, and 324 health facility providers, has significantly benefited children with ear and hearing conditions.
Through pre-screening, 2,284 children with different impairments were identified.1,299 of these assessed, screened and managed by Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) specialists; 836 were tested with use of high-tech audiology equipment; and 582 hearing aids fitted to 317 children and adults.
The Ear and Hearing Care Programme (EHCP) has been enhanced with new screening tools and training guidelines, progressing towards a sustainable district model to ensure equitable access to Ear and Hearing Care services nationwide.This resulted in improved identification, screening, management, and fitting of digital hearing aids, facilitating better educational outcomes and social integration.
Nathanael Irivuzumuremyi ,now 20, is starting medical school at the University of Rwanda
Photo: UNICEF Rwanda
The impact of assistive technology on the family's life has been profound. "Our eldest, Nathanael Irivuzumuremyi, now 20, is starting medical school at the University of Rwanda, while 18-year-old Jehovanis Irabiziis enrolled in a Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) school. Niyobuhungiro Rahayiroyi, 16, and Raban Niyirema,14, are thriving in their academic pursuits," said Mrs. Mukanomero.
To ensure sustainability and long-term use of assistive products, the family underscores the need for ongoing support, including battery maintenance, technical assistance, replacement services, as well as behaviour change support programmes to address stigma and facilitate integration. ATscale places strong emphasis on a systems strengthening approach and, as such, these services are integrated in the programme.
The next phase of the programme aims to integrate vision services alongside ear and hearing care, to ensure a comprehensive approach in the field of sensorial impairments is ensured for school-aged children. It will also be extended to rehabilitation services for children with severe visual and hearing impairments, in need of more specific assistive technology to compensate for their functional loss.
To learn more about our work in Rwanda:
Watch the video: The Gift of Sound
Read more: Transforming Lives Through Digital Hearing Aids in Rwanda