Life for Relief and Development (LIFE) Provides over 500 People in Malawi with Extensive Hearing Aid Services, Changing Lives Over a 3-Day Period

SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN, UNITED STATES, July 5, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Since 2015, Life for Relief and Development (LIFE) has been working with Entheos to provide free hearing and ear care services to thousands of underserved communities globally through Hearing the Call (HTC). Recently, LIFE served the community of Malawi, servicing over 500 patients with a variety of ear care services.

Volunteers of HTC saw everything from ear infections, mild to profound hearing loss and severe deafness. During this three-day trip, 121 hearing aids were fit on 95 adults and 11 children, 161 ears were cleaned with wax removal and treatment and 511 people had access to hearing healthcare in Malawi.

“According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), 5% of the global population requires rehabilitation for disabling hearing loss, which has a particularly severe impact in sub-Saharan Africa. LIFE for Relief and Development runs a comprehensive health program addressing global health issues, with a significant focus on deafness. LIFE organizes several 'HERE to HEAR' trips each year to provide hearing aids to those in need,” said Dr. Hany Saqr, CEO of LIFE.

Atupele’s hearing journey began when she was just four years old, with chronic ear infections that completely ruptured her eardrums and destroyed the small bones in her middle ears, resulting in severe hearing loss in both ears – despite having normal inner ear function. Her type of hearing loss is completely preventable with medical treatment, but treatment was not available to her. Atupele has not heard for 13 years, which led to her dropping out of school a year ago because of her hearing. Because she could not be fit with a traditional hearing aid, the team was able to fit her with a Bone Anchored hearing, a device is worn on a band and vibrates the skull, bypassing the middle ear that is damaged and stimulates the inner ear which is fully functional. With this technology, Atupele can hear normally again, and is excited to go back to school next year!

"The audiology service trip to Malawi was very successful in large part because of partnerships both in the United States and in Malawi. Our team of audiologists and volunteers helped 511 people in three long clinic days. One gentleman was so happy when his new hearing aids were turned on that he jumped up from his chair and started dancing. He then pulled out a document to show us that he had lost his job because he couldn't hear but now he would be able to find work again. This man's story illustrated that when people's hearing is improved it not only helps them communicate, it gives them hope for a better tomorrow,” said Nora Stewart, CEO of Entheos Audiology Cooperative.

For almost 10 years, HTC has been providing access to hearing healthcare in underserved communities and developing regions, bringing hope and healing people with hearing loss, both locally and globally.

Based in Southfield, Michigan, Life for Relief and Development (LIFE) is a global humanitarian organization. It has earned a four-star rating and a 99% score from Charity Navigator. LIFE is committed to delivering humanitarian assistance to individuals, irrespective of their race, gender, religion, or cultural heritage. As a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit entity, LIFE holds Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

Hala Sanyurah
Life for Relief and Development
hsanyurah@lifeusa.org
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LIFE Hearing Aid Trip in Malawi

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