Ear Health Fair [] Escuela de Educación Especial de San Miguel de Allende A.C.

Ear Health Fair
Fri and Sat, Mar 13 and 14, 9am–7pm
Friday, Primary School, La Cuadrilla
Saturday, Umarán 107

By Sharon Doherty

Hearing loss can affect a child’s ability to develop speech, language, and social skills. The earlier children with hearing loss start receiving services, the more likely they are to reach their full potential. If you think that a child might have hearing loss, please take them to a doctor to be checked or, if that isn’t practical, bring them to the upcoming Ear Health Fair. The fair is being held for two days, Friday in the rural community of La Cuadrilla and Saturday in San Miguel de Allende.

Many families in the rural communities of the San Miguel area have few resources to get ear examinations or hearing screening for their children. Escuela de Educación Especial de San Miguel de Allende (EEESMA) and Apoyo para Gente Emprendedora are working together to bring two qualified volunteer audiologists to the children in their own community of La Cuadrilla. John Doherty, President of EEESMA, stated, “I love working with Ezequiel Mojica and his group at Apoyo. They have worked hard to earn families’ trust and they have opened doors for us. Helping to organize this fair in a rural community where support is needed most.”

The following day children from the city of San Miguel and from other nearby communities  will be given the same opportunity for ear examinations and hearing screenings at the school on Calle Umarán 107. Children with ear health issues as a result of blockage, infection, physical defects, or congenital abnormalities will be examined and have their issues identified.

Children with hearing problems are attending public schools in Mexico but often the causes go unidentified. In the community of La Cuadrilla alone, eight children have been recognized with some sort of hearing loss but the causes are unknown. These children struggle with school work, at home, and within their community. Without proper attention the hearing issue will only get worse over time.

For various reasons, it is often difficult for families to take their children to see a doctor in town. The Ear Health Fair will go to the families and their children in their community to identify and to take steps to address many of the hearing loss issues experienced by children in school. We hope 200 children will be screened, many who may not even be aware they have ear health issues. Children with more complicated problems will be referred to doctors in town where their problems can be diagnosed and properly treated. The family will be assisted through the process including the cost of transportation and the cost of visiting a specialist in town at no charge or for a very nominal fee.

If you know a family with a child who is suffering from hearing loss, please don’t wait. Email John Doherty at jd98lv@hotmail.com. Or if you would like to learn more about the work being done to serve Deaf children and young adults living in San Miguel, visit the school’s website www.eeesma.com