They say prevention is better than cure. But how
can one prevent an unwanted condition if they do not even know of it?
Cherry Mobile tries to help fill in the gap
between the people and the source of knowledge and information specifically in
terms of deaf awareness. In July, Cherry Mobile launched its Cherry Hears
Barangay Caravan – a project targeted at communities with the aim of providing
free ear check-ups, hearing tests, and speech and psychological assessments for
special children. The launch was held in Barrio Fugoso, Tondo, Manila, in
coordination with Philippine Institute for the Deaf (PID) and Philiear. The
activity benefited almost 150 patients, most of whom had no idea about their
worsening ear condition.
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People
of different ages -- grannies down to their grandchildren -- came to have their
ears tested.
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A lot of people are increasing their level of awareness
of medical health care and seek ways to ensure healthy physique. But what many
people overlook oftentimes is the health of their ears. They are not aware of
the importance of early detection of hearing problems, early intervention, and
the special programs available for them. For these reasons, many children or
even adults with hearing problems press on with day-to-day difficulties. On the
other hand, there are children who are labelled mistakenly as autistic and slow
learners while they could possibly be deaf but mentally competent.
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Cherry
Hears sees to it that children are checked early on for hearing problems so
that it would be cured immediately and not interfere with their growth.
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The
hearing test checks the range of sounds which the patient could hear.
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Parents
are being advised together with their children on the proper way to take care
of their ears.
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Also on September 13, Cherry Hears went to
Kahilom 2, Pandacan, to help the residents determine the current condition of
their ears through free ear check-ups and hearing tests. With the help of
specialists, the people could determine the health of their ears and seek help
should the conditions be worse than normal. Hearing difficulties among children
may result in or be related to other sicknesses such as speech disability. To
address this need at the same time, Cherry Hears included speech and
psychological assessments. Almost 200 patients benefited from the caravan, and
many were referred to specialists and corresponding institutions for special
therapy and further tests.
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Age
should not be an automatic alibi for poor hearing; thus, even elder people in
the community grabbed the opportunity to have their ears checked.
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A
tent pitched outside the barangay hall served as waiting area for the patients.
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After
the hearing test, the patient receives tips from the specialist regarding the
proper ways of ear cleaning.
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In order to bring the necessary information
regarding hearing loss prevention to the community, Chery Mobile expanded its
deaf advocacy program titled Cherry Hears to include a barangay caravan with
special focus on the deaf. Cherry Hears began as a scholarship provider to
selected deaf students. With a desire to help the deaf community on a greater
scale, Cherry Hears Barangay Caravan was born. Children that are screened and
found to be hard of hearing can be given interventions by Cherry Mobile such as
scholarships, hearing aids, or therapy. Learning sessions are also given along
with informative brochures to people who show up for the check-up so as to
educate them.
As a company thriving in a world of
communications, Cherry Mobile desires to see people from all age groups to be
able to uphold their way of living. For the deaf sector that has yet a long way
to go, Cherry Mobile offers its support to make them heard and known.
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Written by Keren Grace Tandico
