Faith and Shalom, two spirited 15-year-old sisters who lost their hearing at the age of 5 because of treatment for malaria. Both attend different schools and have to rely on lip-reading which is holding them back. LTCH visited the schools to speak with their teachers. Faith who is outgoing and has friends sits at the front of the class but still faces many difficulties. Shalom on the other hand is more retiring and sits at the back of a big class and is verbally bullied by her classmates. LTCH was able to fit hearing aids that could work with what little residual hearing they had and by getting Shalom relocated to a desk at the front of the class both sisters are now progressing well with their studies as well as joining in class discussions.
Faith Babirye and Shalom Nakato, two spirited 15-year-old sisters, have faced challenges that many their age could hardly imagine. Both girls lost their hearing at the tender age of five following treatment for malaria. Despite their struggles, their resilience shines through, and their recent journey to receive hearing aids has opened new doors for them.
Faith and Shalom are is currently in Primary Seven at Central Standard Moslem Nursery and Primary School, while Shalom is in Primary Six at Kibuye Primary School. Although they have some level of residual hearing, they primarily rely on lip reading to communicate. This of course has made learning difficult, and they are behind at school. Their mother explored various avenues of support without success until they found the LTCH clinic at Mulago.
Shalom, diagnosed with severs Bilateral Sensory Neural Hearing Loss, exhibits a more outgoing personality and has formed friendships at school. The prospect of receiving hearing aids filled her with excitement; she hoped it would mitigate the stigma she faced among her peers. Conversely, Faith, who has moderate Bilateral Sensory Neural Hearing Loss, but is less outgoing ,often feels isolated and has been a target of verbal bullying. The opportunity to hear better and connect with her classmates was a beacon of hope for her.
In March 2024, a visit was organized by LTCH to observe the girls in their school settings, meet their teachers, and discuss the upcoming hearing aids. Faith, sitting at the front of her class of ten, was reported to be getting along well with her friends.
In contrast, Shalom was found in a larger class of 60 pupils, seated at the back, which hindered her ability to hear the teacher. After discussing her seating arrangement, LTCH requested that Shalom be moved to the front to enhance her learning experience.
with hearing aids
In April 2024, the girls were both fitted hearing aids by LTCH. It was an exciting moment as they experienced the sounds around them for the first time. T heir excitement was palpable, marking a significant milestone in their journey toward better communication.
Three weeks later, a follow-up call from LTCH revealed promising news. Faith’s mother reported noticeable improvements in her hearing abilities. Faith’s headteacher echoed this sentiment, noting her increased participation in class discussions. The hearing aids have not only enhanced her ability to hear but have also begun to alleviate the feelings of stigma that she had endured.
The stories of Faith and Shalom serve as a testament to the massive difference small interventions can make in outcomes. With their new hearing aids, they are not only gaining the ability to hear but are also finding their voices in a world that once felt silent. This journey is just the beginning, and with ongoing support, the sisters are poised to thrive in their educational and social lives.
Good Hearing – Good Speech – Good Education – Good Job