Challenge
While Peru’s healthcare system has improved in recent years, significant issues remain, particularly regarding access to healthcare for middle- and low-income individuals.
In the Andes country, there are only three private clinics for children with hearing loss, which are unaffordable for low-income families. Training in hearing acoustics and audiology is not offered in Peru. There are only 14 audiologists in the entire country, resulting in many children with hearing loss being diagnosed late or not at all. Although legally mandated, newborn hearing screenings are conducted in only six public hospitals due to a lack of expertise and equipment. The government provides around 8,000 hearing aids annually, but these are only intended for adults.
How we help
Following the success of the initial project phase, we aim to support even more children with hearing loss in rural regions of the country. In particular, children from low-income families should have greater access to hearing tests, hearing aids, and speech therapy. . We will build these services with our local partner organization by 2027, incorporating telemedicine where appropriate. At the same time, audiology in Peru will be sustainably strengthened through the establishment of a degree program at two universities.
- In hospitals, schools, and health centers, 30,250 newborns and children in Lima and five provinces will be screened for hearing loss.
- At the Hospital Nacional de Mayo in Lima, healthcare personnel will be trained to routinely screen newborns for hearing loss.
- Children diagnosed with hearing loss receive hearing aids and long-term follow-up care.
- In rural areas, hearing aids will be fitted with the help of healthcare personnel via telemedicine.
- Children who need it will receive speech therapy.
- Nationwide awareness campaigns are being launched to help parents and teachers detect early signs of hearing loss and understand how to protect children’s hearing.
- Introduction of the first university degree program in audiology in Peru and graduation of the first class with 15 audiology students.
Our Partner
Oír Para Crecer (OPC) is a non-profit organization based in Lima. It supports children with hearing loss from low-income families through prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment. OPC’s goal is the full inclusion of people with hearing loss in society.
