Challenge
El Salvador is the smallest country in Central America with the highest population density. 58 percent of the population lives in poverty. hildren with untreated hearing loss often fall through the cracks. They are unable to attend public school, which leaves them with little to no opportunity to lead an independent life. the public health system is overwhelmed and lacks the necessary resources for specialized programs, such as early hearing screenings or comprehensive care for children with hearing loss.
Many children are not diagnosed early enough, which can have long-term impacts on their ability to develop language and communication skills. The absence of public prevention programs worsens this challenge. There is a shortage of trained audiologists and specialized therapists, resulting in qualified treatments and follow-up care often not being widely available.
How we help
Our local project partner is the only organization providing pediatric hearing care for low-income families. This project will expand access to hearing services for children in need. At the same time, newborn hearing screening will be implemented in three hospitals.
- We are building partnerships with three hospitals to establish newborn hearing screening programs.
- Families affected by hearing loss are brought together through a support and exchange program. Psychologists, neurologists, and teachers are involved and available to support parents and answer their questions.
- Healthcare professionals and teachers will be sensitized to hearing loss to recognize children with hearing loss as early as possible.
Our Partner
Fundación Su Niño No Puede Esperar (FUSNINPE) is a non-profit organization founded in 2007 with the goal of providing all children in El Salvador with access to hearing care. The organization runs training programs for professionals, conducts public awareness campaigns on hearing loss, and organizes targeted hearing screenings for children in rural communities.