The Sound of Change: A Life-Changing Gift from the Embassy of Japan

At St Joseph’s Intermediate Paediatric Care, the well-being and development of our young patients are central to our mission. Many of the children we care for face a high risk of health complications, including hearing loss, which, if undetected, can severely impact their speech, language, and social development. Thanks to a generous donation from the Embassy of Japan, we can now address this critical need through a dedicated hearing screening initiative that promises to transform lives.

Previously, there was a significant gap in our ability to screen children for hearing loss, a condition that can result from illnesses such as TB meningitis, bacterial infections, and other complications often found in our vulnerable patients. Sadly, while many could have benefitted from early hearing screenings, only a small fraction received them due to limited resources and logistical challenges. In 2023, we estimated that 77% of our children would have been better served if such tests were available, highlighting the urgent need for a solution.

The vision for this hearing screening initiative began as early as 2020 by our Speech and Language therapy department, to ease the burden on our partners at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital and bring this essential service directly to our patients. However, financial constraints and the global pandemic delayed our progress. Undeterred, the St Joseph’s Intermediate Paediatric Care Business Development Team worked tirelessly and finally secured the much-needed funding from the Embassy of Japan in early 2024.

With this support, we acquired vital screening equipment, including state-of-the-art OAE and AABR devices, a Tympanometer, an Audiometer, and an Otoscope. These tools now empower our Speech & Language Therapy department and Rehabilitation Care Workers (RCWs) to conduct comprehensive hearing assessments, ensuring that impairments are identified and treated early.

But this initiative goes beyond equipment. We’ve established internal protocols, referral systems, and follow-up care pathways to ensure no child is overlooked. Our team received specialized training, thanks to Amtronix, and ongoing staff development is planned to further enhance skills and expand the programme’s reach.

The impact is already clear. Every child screened, especially those at highest risk, represents progress in our mission to prevent hearing loss and its related challenges. As we continue to refine the program, we aim to collaborate with other healthcare providers and expand our network to ensure early hearing detection services are accessible to every child, even after leaving St Joseph’s.

This initiative is just the beginning. Our vision is one of growth and continuous improvement, and none of this would have been possible without the generous support of the Embassy of Japan. Their commitment to our cause has made a real difference in the lives of the children we serve, and for that, we are deeply grateful.

"In 2023, we estimated that 77% of our children would have been better served if such tests were available, highlighting the urgent need for a solution"

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