The Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), in partnership with Nigerbell Hearing Centres Ltd, commemorated World Hearing Day 2026 with a free hearing screening program for selected school children with disabilities. The event took place on March 3, 2026, at Nigerbell Hearing Centres in Ikeja and highlighted the significance of early intervention in hearing care.
Eko Hot News reports that this year’s World Hearing Day theme, “From Communities to Classrooms: Hearing Care for All Children,” underscored the need for early detection and timely intervention to support children with hearing challenges. Audiologist Dr. Barnabas Bem Vangerwua emphasized that undetected hearing loss can negatively affect a child’s speech, learning ability, and overall development, urging parents to ensure newborns undergo hearing screenings immediately after birth.
Dr. Vangerwua also called for the integration of routine hearing assessments into primary healthcare services across Lagos State. “If hearing screening becomes a standard practice in our primary healthcare centres, parents will have easier access to early diagnosis and intervention,” he said, highlighting the critical role of community-based healthcare in promoting hearing wellness.
Nigerbell Hearing Centres, a leading provider of hearing healthcare, offers comprehensive services including prevention, assessment, treatment, rehabilitation, and hearing aid fitting for both children and adults. The partnership with LASODA ensures that children in Lagos State receive access to inclusive and quality hearing care services.
Mrs. Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, General Manager of LASODA, actively participated in the exercise by undergoing a hearing test herself, demonstrating leadership by example and reinforcing the importance of regular hearing checks for all ages.
The World Hearing Day celebration not only raised awareness about hearing health but also reaffirmed LASODA and Nigerbell’s commitment to inclusive healthcare and community engagement, ensuring that children have the opportunity to thrive academically and socially. Initiatives like these help bridge healthcare gaps and promote the wellbeing of children with hearing impairments across Lagos State.
