Hearing screenings to detect childhood deafness

In 2023, 287 early childhood children (from 3 to 6 years of age) of the commune 13 of the city of Medellin were visited and accompanied, therefore 287 families and 5 educational agents of the educational institution Asociación Amigos de los Niños. 

One of the most outstanding achievements was the detection of possible difficulties in 86 of the 287 children evaluated. This early detection is crucial to prevent disabling hearing loss, alterations related to breathing, swallowing, speech and language processes, as well as cases of excessive earwax production, which temporarily compromise audibility in the middle stage of oral language acquisition.

By referring these children to the health care system, the project improved access to medical care for a potentially vulnerable population, facilitating the treatment and intervention necessary to prevent future health complications. The project was able to improve access to medical care for a potentially vulnerable population, facilitating the treatment and intervention necessary to prevent future health complications. Early detection and referral of these cases to the health system contributes to appropriate and timely medical intervention.

Through prevention and hearing care workshops (to 287 children) and training for parents (121 parents attended the training) and teachers (5 educational agents), the project was able to increase awareness and knowledge about hearing, speech, language and voice disorders and alterations. and teachers (5 educational agents), the project succeeded in increasing awareness and knowledge about hearing, speech, language and voice disorders and alterations. This not only serves to detect early signs, but also to prevent possible problems in the future.

By providing direct counseling to parents of children with specific
with specific cases, the project was able to offer personalized support that can be invaluable to families in managing and understanding their children's specific health challenges. This empowers families to make informed decisions about their children's health care.

This project has also fostered the creation of networks between different stakeholders (parents, teachers, teachers, and other stakeholders). networks among different stakeholders (parents, teachers, health system), which is essential to ensure a comprehensive and collaborative approach to early childhood hearing health.

In summary, this project has achieved significant impacts on early detection, access to health care, hearing health education and awareness, parent counseling and support, and networking among stakeholders. These achievements are indicative of a successful project that has met and exceeded the expected objectives and outcomes.

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Hello, dear donors of Fundación Óyeme.

Once again we have the opportunity to share with you the progress of our mission to prevent hearing loss and detect it early in early childhood, which you have generously supported throughout these years and for which we are deeply and completely grateful. Without your generosity this would not be possible.

During this last period we visited, in alliance with the Rotary Club Medellín El Poblado, the Vereda Llano Aguirre in the municipality of San Jerónimo, the Educational Institution Perpetuo Socorro Madre Laura in the municipality of Medellín and the Educational Institution Puerto Olaya- San Juan de la Carretera in the municipality of Cimitarra, Santander. In these institutions 78 children between 6 months and 6 years of age were benefited. None of them reported hearing loss, only middle ear alterations and they were referred to their health system.

In Óyeme Foundation we are convinced that to donate is to love, so thank you for loving and believing in us; you, like Óyeme, are part of the actors who yearn for the social inclusion of children with hearing loss who dream of the same opportunities as  hearing children.