Following the change to the charity’s objects and the broadening of its geographical scope, we are pleased to be funding a team from Brighton and Sussex Medical School, working in partnership with Refugee Crisis Foundation as they work with Rohingya refugees who have escaped Myanmar and are now living in the Kutupalong Camp in Bangladesh.

This project will identify children who could benefit from low-cost bone conduction headsets for hearing loss due to tympanic perforation. Conventional air conduction hearing aids are unsuitable for those with discharging ears and the team will be using new technology to potentially change the lives of children who are some of the most marginalised in society.

It is hoped that this intervention will enable children who previously had difficulty accessing educational opportunities to benefit from easier communication with their teachers and friends. For more information follow the link below: https://www.refugeecrisisfoundation.com/appeal/ear-and-hearing-care/

Whilst our focus is on the deaf children and young people in Myanmar and neighbouring countries. it is important to take a wider perspective. This is not the only region alone in having very limited resources for deaf children. Of the 350 million deaf children worldwide, it is estimated that 80% of all children live in low and middle-income countries.

Whilst exact numbers are hard to come by it is also known that in many areas free schooling does not necessarily mean deaf children have access to education. Where parents have to pay for school uniforms, books and pens they also face the decision of which children to send to school. Deaf children are the most likely to be excluded, there is a pervading view that such children will gain little from education.

It is estimated that deaf children are three times more likely to be abused. Deaf children face challenges in trying to access any support from teachers, medical staff, or police services as communication skills will be basic and adults will be unable to communicate in home sign.

There may be local belief sets that work against the rights of deaf children. Education of both deaf children and wider society is needed if these children are to have any opportunity to meet their potential. In some areas, local innovation has made a huge difference but a vast amount remains to be done.