Hearing aids for 1300 Tongans [1]
Thursday, August 23, 2018 - 20:02. Updated on Friday, August 24, 2018 - 13:45.
By Eleanor Gee and Linny Folau.
Around 1300 Tongans with hearing problems were fitted with hearing aids donated by Starkey Hearing Foundation, during clinics on August 21-22 at 'Atele Indoor Stadium.
A team of 21 hearing care coordinators from Asia and a few from Tonga set up an organized process for screening/examination, moulding, hearing-aid fitting, fitting quality control, counseling and final quality control were set up for the hundreds of patients.
Megan Baiocchi, International Development Director-Asia Pacific, Starkey Hearing Foundation said on the first day they saw 710 patients and 450 of those were fitted with hearing aids. This continued to the final day, with adults and elderly the majority who required the hearing aids. Some children and youths were also fitted.
“We also had quite a few school students that came, where we screened their hearing with the majority having normal hearing. This is what we want because the Pacific have so many ear infections and we need to address it.”
The foundation also provides free maintenance for the hearing aids, including free batteries as part of their aftercare program, which takes place monthly at the Ear Nose Throat (ENT) clinic at Vaiola Hospital. Tongan medical officers have been trained on their model so they are able to provide hearing care and follow up with patients who received hearing aids.
She said the cost of the hearing aids fitted, if bought privately it would probably be about USD$1,500 for one. "This project is part of a development program for the Pacific region."
Hearing loss
Dr ‘Amone Vaka’uta of the ENT unit at Vaiola Hospital said the most common cause of hearing loss is ear infection.
He said a contributing factor is because Tongans do not seek medical assistance when ear infection is acute and only go when the problem gets severe.
"If people have problems with their ears come straight to us, then it won’t get to a stage where they need hearing aids."
The doctor also warned Tongans to be aware of loud noises especially when using earphones, ringing church bells and construction noise. Children also love using earphones but that loud sound pumping the eardrum for years will damage ears eventually, he said.
"People should know once the nerve is damaged, that’s it, you need hearing aid."
Meanwhile, one of the oldest patients, Milemoti Pulu (90) from Fanga was overjoyed when he was fitted with hearing aids. “I can hear very well now. I am thankful for their generosity.” His daughter Siu Pulu said it’s a nice birthday present as he just turned 90.
"After many years as he got older he hasn’t been able to hear very well. My family is very happy today."
Meanwhile, 16-year-old Mosese Feleti was also fitted. His mother said he suffered hearing problems from swimming.
This is the first time the foundation's team has visited Tonga.