By By Ademola Ajao
THE President of the Speech Pathologists and Audiologists Association of Nigeria (SPAAN), Professor Julius Ademokoya, has revealed that about eight million Nigerians live with hearing disorders.
He made this known while delivering his address at the 2025 SPAAN Annual Conference, organised by the association and held at the KAAF Auditorium, Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Ibadan, on Thursday.
Professor Ademokoya explained that, according to available statistics, six out of every 1,000 children born in Nigeria suffer from congenital hearing loss, stressing the need for early detection and intervention by parents.
Speaking with journalists, he emphasised the importance of continuous professional development through conferences, seminars, and workshops, saying that such platforms enhance knowledge in speech pathology and audiology—fields that deal with hearing and speech care essential for effective communication.
In his words: “We also have adults with hearing disorders, which may result from accidents, drug abuse, or genetic factors. Any untreated hearing problem poses serious challenges not only for the affected individual but also for their family and the nation.”
He lamented that cultural attitudes in Nigeria often discourage timely medical consultation and therapy for speech and language problems.
“In our country, our culture doesn’t give necessary attention to treatment, seeking medical care, and therapy from professionals who handle speech and language issues. We often believe that when a child is not talking, he will eventually start on his own,” he added.
According to him, some individuals resort to drug abuse or even suicide due to untreated speech or communication difficulties, leading to frustration and social problems. He called on the government to address these issues urgently.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Ekiti State Governor on Special Education and Social Inclusion, Princess Adetoun Agboola, advised parents not to keep children with disabilities at home because of their conditions.
She stressed that the government is now taking an active role in ensuring that children with disabilities receive proper care and attention.
“Ekiti State is taking the lead in ensuring that all children are properly assessed before being placed in schools, particularly children with disabilities,” she said.
In his remarks, the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Medical Rehabilitation Therapists (Registration) Board of Nigeria (MRTB), Professor Rufai Yusuf Ahmad, reiterated that the association meets annually to find solutions to societal health challenges.
He noted that there are preventive measures parents can take to reduce the risk of hearing and speech disorders in children.
“I think there should be collaboration between the government, the association, and parents so that we can collectively develop effective preventive measures,” he concluded.
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