Audiology Expands in the DR
The Audiology team saw 307 new and returning patients this February in the Dominican Republic. The work is part of an ongoing audiology initiative that includes newborn hearing screenings, school hearing screenings, and full audiological evaluations. The team identifies those that need additional intervention or who would qualify for hearing aids.
Many of the patients with hearing loss struggle to participate fully in daily life, impacting their ability to attend school or work.
“A particular case that has stayed with me was a young woman in Peralta who has had hearing loss, most likely since childhood,” said Dr. Paulina Kocon, who led the trip alongside Dr. Kirsten Petrarca. “She is 26 years old and, due to her hearing loss, was unable to finish university. The patient and I are the same age. I can't imagine how hard of a decision it was to drop classes.”
Therefore, a primary indicator of success for the program has been improving the patient’s social and emotional wellbeing. Most of the returning patients have reported higher satisfaction with their daily lives and the world around them.
For children, impact is measured twofold: improved living and early detection. Hearing loss can be especially harmful for children as it impairs their cognitive and emotional development. By identifying these patients early, interventions have a greater chance of success. During the week, the team conducted screenings at three schools.
“In the communities that we serve, hearing is an extremely important sense for children for their safety and development,” said Dr. Petrarca. “We have already fit four children and young adults with hearing aids, which has allowed them to communicate more meaningfully with their families and participate more easily at school.”
If the child has significant hearing loss or isn’t a candidate for hearing aids, Wendys Filipo, Director of Clinical Activities, connects the families with local resources that will support the child's language and cognitive development.
One such case is an 11-year-old boy whose profound hearing loss has left him unable to communicate. He doesn’t have a language, relying primarily on gestures amongst his family. This has prevented him from attending the school for the deaf because he’s unable to travel safely. Wendys is working with the family to learn a signed language and find a safe way for the child to attend the school for the deaf
“This case has stayed with me because it highlights the importance of newborn hearing screenings and early identification, which are often taken for granted here in the United States,” said Dr. Petrarca. “It also highlights how crucial partnerships with the local communities are. We are able to test this child's hearing and could potentially get hearing aids for him, but providing education and guidance for the community leaders is what, ultimately, will make a difference in his life.”
Community Empowerment understands that the key to the program’s success is providing ongoing and sustainable care, so the team works with community leaders and local healthcare professionals throughout the intervention process.
“In the media, volunteer efforts like ours are often portrayed as vacations during which the healthcare workers complete a procedure and leave. There is little to no consideration for long-term outcomes. Participating in these trips with Community Empowerment has taught us how important consideration of that fact is, and how crucial and fulfilling it is to build those relationships with community leaders, like Wendys,” reported Drs. Kocon and Petrarca.