LASODA Marks World Hearing Day with Free Screening for Children

The Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs partnered with Nigerbell Hearing Centres Ltd to commemorate World Hearing Day 2026 with a free hearing screening exercise for selected children with disabilities in Lagos State.

The event, held at Nigerbell Hearing Centres in Ikeja, aligned with this year’s global theme, “From Communities to Classrooms: Hearing Care for All Children.” The initiative highlighted the importance of early detection and treatment of hearing impairments in ensuring children’s educational and social development.

Speaking during the exercise, Audiologist Dr. Barnabas Bem Vangerwua stressed that undetected hearing loss can significantly affect a child’s speech development, learning ability and overall communication skills. He therefore urged parents to prioritise hearing screening for newborns and young children.

Dr. Vangerwua also called for routine hearing tests to be integrated into primary healthcare services across Lagos State. According to him, making hearing assessments more accessible would enable early diagnosis and intervention, improving outcomes for children with hearing challenges.

The General Manager of LASODA, Mrs. Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, also participated in the screening exercise as a show of support. The event not only provided free hearing assessments but also raised awareness about the importance of inclusive healthcare services for children living with disabilities.