KOTA KINABALU: Some 150 rural folks, young and old, participated in a speech and hearing outreach programme, jointly organised by Hospital UMS (HUMS) and the Malaysian Association of Speech and Hearing (Mash), in Kudat earlier this month.
Mash Sabah Chapter Chief Elsa Rajah said the association was greatly encouraged by the turnout at the university’s Rural Medical Education Centre (RMEC) in Sikuati.
“This is the first time that we have been involved in an outstation event like this,” she said.
“We were just blown away by the response, especially from those who made special trips just to be there.”
She said some travelled more than 115km from villages in Kota Belud to be tested, while others came from villages in Kota Marudu some 78km away.
Audiologists Ophelia and Aishah conducting hearing test on a 4-year-old.
“There were also parents who came following recommendations from the Maternal and Child Health Clinics, as well as community rehabilitation centres, in the area.
“Some mothers and fathers told us that their family members were on waiting lists to undergo speech and hearing tests some time next year.”
Rajah said 20 of those screened at the outreach received hearing aids.
Eighteen of this number were adults while the rest were kids.
She said the youngsters required “bilateral hearing assistance”.
“A coaching session was conducted to show the recipients how to deal with simple hearing aid problems.”
She said these devices and fitting services were generously provided for the outreach by Best Hearing Aid Centre, Pearl Hearing Centre, 20dB Hearing, Audiolab and Ophelia Hearing Specialist.
Rajah said the 28-strong team, which conducted the medical examinations and speech screenings, was kept on their toes over the two days at the RMEC.
According to her, the team consisted of nine clinical audiologists, four speech and language therapists from the public and private sector, two Ear Nose and Throat doctors from HUMS and Queen Elizabeth Hospital I and two nurses from the same field.
She said the remaining team members were mainly volunteers from the university.Besides the screening, ‘ear toileting’ was performed as well as action to dislodge foreign objects.
“Medication for ear infections was also handed out where this warranted.
”Rajah said any children suspected of being on the Autism Spectrum or having ADHD, developmental language delays and speech motor praxis issues were screened on the spot.
“Their families were provided with strategies to use at home to help them communicate and develop their skills.”
She said representatives from the Kudat branch of the Sabah Deaf Association were also in attendance during the event.
“This gave us an idea of the impact the outreach had on the local community.
“In fact, it was so well received that a member of the Residents Association for Kg Pituru asked us if we would consider holding a conducting a similar outreach in this part of Kudat.”
— Sidney Skinner
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