The President of the Speech Pathologists and Audiologists Association of Nigeria (SPAAN), Professor Julius Ademokoya, has issued a stark warning about the escalating number of hearing disorders in the country, declaring it a public health emergency.
Speaking at the 2025 SPAAN Annual Conference held at the KAAF Auditorium, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Ademokoya disclosed that approximately eight million Nigerians are currently living with hearing impairments.
A Growing National Health Concern
Professor Ademokoya provided alarming statistics, revealing that six out of every 1,000 children born in Nigeria suffer from congenital hearing loss. He further explained that many adults also develop hearing and speech disorders due to various factors.
"Any untreated hearing problem constitutes a serious challenge not only to the individual but also to the family and the country at large," he stated emphatically.
Cultural Barriers and Mental Health Risks
A significant obstacle to addressing this crisis, according to Ademokoya, is the prevalence of cultural misconceptions and low public awareness, which often delay crucial early diagnosis and intervention.
"In our country, we believe that when a child is not talking, he will soon grow out of it. That belief is wrong. Many people suffer silently because they lack access to therapy and professional care," he lamented.
The SPAAN President issued a grave warning about the potential consequences of untreated communication disorders, linking them to severe mental health challenges.
"Some individuals go into drug abuse because they have untreated speech or hearing problems. They are frustrated, and nobody helps them. These are serious issues the government must look into," he cautioned, noting that such situations can, in extreme cases, even lead to suicide.
Calls for Collaborative Action and Inclusion
Also contributing to the discourse, Mrs. Adetoun Agboola, the Special Adviser to the Ekiti State Governor on Special Education and Social Inclusion, urged parents not to hide children with disabilities.
She emphasized that every child deserves education, assessment, and inclusion, highlighting that "Ekiti State is taking the lead in ensuring that all children, especially those with disabilities, are properly assessed before being placed in schools."
Echoing the need for a united front, Professor Rufai Ahmad, the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Medical Rehabilitation Therapists Board of Nigeria, called for stronger collaboration.
"There must be cooperation between the government, associations, and parents if we are to develop sustainable preventive measures," Ahmad noted, underscoring the importance of a multi-stakeholder approach to enhance early intervention and preventive care for hearing and speech disorders in Nigeria.
