The Federal Government has announced plans to introduce routine hearing checks in primary schools and expand newborn hearing screening nationwide to enable early detection of hearing challenges and promote inclusive, hearing-friendly classrooms.

In a message to mark World Hearing Day 2026 in Abuja, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Adekunle Salako, said hearing is fundamental to communication, learning and social integration, noting that it plays a critical role in children’s cognitive development, academic achievement and emotional well-being.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Burden of Disease Study 2021, hearing loss affects about 90 million children and adolescents aged five to 19 years globally. However, it often remains undetected, particularly in low-resource settings.

The organisation also noted that more than 60 per cent of childhood hearing loss is preventable through simple and cost-effective public health measures, stressing that early identification and care are crucial to prevent long-term impacts on development, education and future opportunities.

This year’s theme, “From Communities to Classrooms: Hearing Care for All Children,” highlights the need to prevent avoidable childhood hearing loss and ensure early identification and care for children with ear or hearing problems.

Salako noted that in Nigeria, preventable causes such as untreated ear infections, excessive noise exposure, maternal infections during pregnancy and limited early screening services continue to contribute to childhood hearing impairment.

He warned that when hearing loss is not addressed early, it can lead to delayed speech development, poor educational outcomes and long-term socio-economic challenges. He added that up to 60 per cent of childhood hearing loss could be prevented through timely interventions such as vaccination, early detection and proper ear care.

The minister also disclosed that the Federal Government has expanded the mandate of the National Eye Health Programme to coordinate ear, hearing and other sensory health activities. The programme will now be known as the National Eye, Ear and Sensory Health Functions Programme; a move he said would strengthen national coordination and demonstrate the government’s commitment to reducing the burden of hearing loss in the country.

To ensure nationwide implementation, Salako said Eye Health Desk Officers across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory have had their mandates expanded to include hearing health. The ministry is also developing governance structures, policies and national guidelines to institutionalise hearing and sensory health services within the country’s healthcare system.

He stressed that effective hearing care begins within communities, urging parents, caregivers and primary healthcare workers to recognise early warning signs such as delayed response to sound, frequent ear pain and speech delays, and to seek timely medical care.

According to him, the theme of this year’s campaign underscores the importance of linking community awareness with school-based interventions to ensure that no Nigerian child is left behind.

Salako reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring hearing care for every child, expressing hope for a future where all children can hear clearly, from the vibrant sounds of their communities to lessons in the classroom.

He also called on parents, educators, healthcare providers, development partners, and the media to collaborate to protect children’s hearing. “Simple actions such as protecting children from excessive noise, ensuring timely vaccinations and promoting regular hearing checks can prevent the majority of childhood hearing loss,” he said.

WHO further emphasised that integrating systematic screening and early intervention programmes into school and child health plans could significantly improve outcomes for children living with ear or hearing problems.

The organisation noted that hearing loss sometimes begins gradually and worsens over time. If left untreated, it can affect a child’s ability to hear and significantly impair speech, language, cognitive and social development, often leading to poorer educational outcomes, reduced employment prospects and long-term economic disadvantages.

It added that communities and classrooms are natural entry points for reaching children, parents and teachers, and that integrating hearing care into school and child health programmes can help children hear better, learn effectively and achieve their full potential.

WHO also urged stakeholders in ear and hearing care to collaborate with professionals working in school health, child health, eye care, primary healthcare and education to strengthen prevention and care efforts.