“I was shocked to learn that there is a day set aside to create awareness and understanding of hearing loss”, says Bishop Moses Wanyonyi, a religious leader who has lived with hearing loss for many decades, unaware that his condition could have been treated if detected earlier.
He said it was only two years ago that his condition was diagnosed during a visit to the United States.
“I have lived with this condition for many years. It was only discovered when I travelled to the United States and received help,” he recalled.
Elizabeth Sande’s story echoes a similar journey of delayed diagnoses and denial. After surviving coronavirus (COVID-19), Sande was left with hearing loss on her left ear after recovery. COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic in March 2020 by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
As a Christian, Sande thought prayers would restore her hearing.
“I have been in denial for four years. I was infected with COVID-19, but I survived. However, the disease left me with hearing loss in my left ear. I have been in denial, constantly thinking that I could pray about it and regain my hearing, but it never happened,” she said.
Like Bishop Wanyonyi, Sande was unaware of global efforts to raise awareness of hearing loss.
Initially, she mistook the ringing in her ear and imbalance as signs of recovery, until she went for a diagnosis, where she was referred for an audiogram at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret. The report showed that she had lost 70 per cent of her hearing.
“After one year, I noticed ringing in my ear and imbalance issues, but I didn’t know I was losing my hearing. When I finally went for a diagnosis at MTRH, the results confirmed significant hearing loss. I was advised to get hearing aids, but I was still in denial. After years of living in denial, I have now accepted that I am living with a disability,” Sande said.
Edward Katama Ngeiywa, a lawyer and political advisor of Trans Nzoia County, a rural county in Western Kenya, lives with hearing loss, but has not allowed the condition to define his ambitions.
In 2025, he was among the shortlisted candidates for the position of Chairperson of Kenya’s electoral body, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Despite his achievements, he pointed to a broader systemic failure.
Ngeiywa said persons with hearing loss have received little attention in the country, with awareness and sensitisation efforts being minimal, leaving many Kenyans vulnerable and living with untreated hearing loss.
His concerns have been echoed by Bishop Wanyonyi.
How to detect hearing loss and common causes
Dr Calistus Wekesa of Tuwan Highway Mission Hospital, also highlighted similar concerns, noting that many Kenyans in rural areas suffer from hearing loss that could be corrected through surgery if diagnosed early.
“In Kenya, 3 out of 1,000 children suffer from mild deafness,” Dr Wekesa stated and reiterated that “Globally, 1.5 billion people are affected.”
Unfortunately, Dr Wekesa noted that many patients seek medical attention only after the condition has deteriorated, making treatment challenging. He emphasised the importance of early diagnosis, particularly among children. This, he said, aligns with this year’s global advocacy theme that focuses on promoting early detection from “community to classrooms.”
“We want our young people to understand that hearing loss is a condition that affects everyone. We are in this state as a nation because many people don’t understand this condition,” Dr Wekesa stated.
Inserting objects in the ears to clean, especially among children, congenital conditions, and trauma, are some of the causes of hearing impairment, Dr Wekesa stated.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), other causes include age-related degeneration of sensorineural cells over time (presbycusis); the use of ototoxic medications such as antibiotics and anti-malarial drugs, which can damage the inner ear; and physical obstructions, such as impacted earwax or foreign objects blocking the ear.
Other causes are noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), which results from long-term exposure to loud sounds in workplaces.
For 1.1 billion young people, high-volume recreational sound from devices can also cause hearing loss.
The condition can further be caused by chronic otitis media (middle ear infection), particularly among children.
Other signs of impairment according to WHO are: difficulty grasping speech, frequently asking others to repeat themselves, increasing the volume on devices, ringing in the ears, social withdrawal, and frustration.
For Sande, these challenges have directly affected her work. During sessions with offenders, she struggles to hear, which slows the pace of her work.
“In my job, I write reports and interview offenders, but I struggle to hear clearly. Sometimes I miss important details, or I misinterpret information,” she noted.
Other symptoms include social and emotional frustration, anxiety, social isolation, withdrawal from conversations, and physical sensations such as muffled hearing, pain, or fluid buildup in the ear.
Gaps in Kenya for hearing impairment treatment and statistics
Kenya lacks a critical health care structure for persons with hearing loss, as previously narrated by patients. This suggests that the country’s health care goals under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3) may not be achieved by 2030.
Dr Wekesa estimated that 6.3 million Kenyans are living with hearing loss, many of whom have not sought treatment due to high costs and limited awareness.
“We are calling on people to embrace ear screening during routine medical checks regardless of age,” he said. “The condition is becoming a major public health concern, yet many are held back by the cost of care and lack of information,” he clarified.
Bernard Masioge, from the office of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Trans Nzoia County, confirms Dr Wekesa’s assessments. He revealed that about 30 people working with government agencies have registered as PWDs, solely for the purpose of tax exemption, as outlined in the Kenyan Constitution.
Masioge said the number of unreported cases in the villages is high. In a county with over 1.1 million people, only 30 individuals can be identified as living with hearing impairment. However, he remains hopeful that increased awareness will lead to more patients being registered for support.
“The number is low. I believe that the majority of patients have not been reached with information. Those we have documented are mainly employees who have registered for cash transfers and tax exemptions. A lot still needs to be done by the government and health stakeholders, to make ear treatment accessible and widely available,” he explained.
Challenges in Accessing Hearing Aids
They raised concerns about the high cost of tests and hearing aids, noting that the average Kenyan cannot afford them. Despite technological advances, many patients are still unable to access hearing aids.
“These hearing aids are very expensive; my aids cost above KSh250,000, which average mwananchi cannot afford. It is even getting worse because the older, cheaper models are being phased out in favour of new technologies. Ear treatment is not covered by SHA or other medical insurance policies, making it prohibitively expensive”, Ngeiywa lamented.
Echoing Ngeiywa’s sentiments, Sande said she has to save for nearly four months to afford a hearing aid.
“I’m unable to acquire one because it is very expensive. I’m told the cheapest goes for KSh100,000. That is basically my four months’ savings! SHA does not even cover our tests. How many villagers and Wanjikus can afford the screening, tests and hearing aids?” Sande questioned.
Bishop Wanyonyi, who went to the United States for better services, spent $1,500 (KSh 217,500) to acquire his hearing aids. Like Sande and Ngeiywa, he questioned whether Kenyans in the village could afford even KSh 10,000 for consultations.
Ngeiywa said the situation is worsened by a worrying shortage of doctors, particularly in public hospitals. Living in Trans Nzoia, he has to travel over 400 kilometres to Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, to access medical care for his condition.
“Hearing aids aside, very few people can afford Ksh50,000-80,000 to acquire them. We are also disadvantaged by the shortage of doctors, especially in public hospitals. There are very few laboratories in the country that test hearing ability, so I have to travel to Nairobi for my check-ups,” he lamented.
While many conditions could be corrected through early diagnosis and surgeries, prevention measures are crucial. Early interventions such as immunisation against measles, meningitis, and mumps can help prevent hearing loss in children.
Using earplugs in loud environments and regulating noise at recreational venues are also important preventive measures.
Other recommended measures include regular screening for children and at-risk adults as well as rehabilitation through the use of hearing aids, cochlear implants, and training in sign language.
While many remain undiagnosed in their homes, calls are being made for increased awareness. Efforts are being championed to close the gaps highlighted by Masioge, including access to screening, tests, and hearing aids.
“I’m appealing to the government to help us get these aids. Let’s go out and create more awareness so that others can receive help and address their conditions before they become permanent,” Sande petitioned.
As a health provider, Dr Wekesa called on the government to include a hearing impairment package in the SHA, which can help many Kenyans stationed in rural settings.
