Celebrating World Hearing Day 2021 and the world’s first-ever World Report on Hearing!

Bunuko Tasew, a community member smiles, full of joy after receiving hearing aid!

“I was not able to hear what people are saying if they weren't very loud. When I ask the price for my service I have a problem and I can not deal with them properly. Due to that, I used to receive what they gave me. Besides, I was not able to hear people calling me unless they came and touched me... May God bless WEEMA  more and more for helping me to communicate well with my customers and making my life easier.” 

-Bunuko Tasew, a community member working as a daily laborer in Kembata Tembaro!

Today, March 3, 2021 is World Hearing Day and this year’s theme is “Hearing Care for ALL! Screen, Rehabilitate, Communicate!” This day urges governments, stakeholders and the public to pay attention to the unacceptable levels of hearing loss and ear disease still prevalent in the world. Today will also mark the launch of the world’s first-ever World Report on Hearing! The report emphasizes the need to integrate hearing care into national health plans and act timely on preventing and addressing hearing loss across the life course. 

Here, at WEEMA, our most recent provision of hearing aids for community members with hearing loss shows the direct impact of investing in cost-effective interventions for person-centered hearing care. 

 Feven Matewos, 10th grader in Tembaro who had suffered from hearing impairment for the last 12 years also had this to say about WEEMA’s hearing aid support:

“I was suffering from my hearing problem for a long time, I was not able to hear what the teachers said and participate in the class and this has high impact in my school performance. Now, I can sit anywhere in the class and can hear what the teachers are saying.”

We are grateful to be a part of this #hearingcare movement! Today, as we celebrate World Hearing Day 2021, we also acknowledge the extensive work that needs to be done going forward to prevent and address hearing loss globally! 

Feven Matewos, 10th grader in Tembaro who had suffered from hearing impairment for the last 12 years recieves hearing aid for the first time!