21 October 2025

“Together, we have an impact” – the words of the Hear the World Foundation, a Sonova Group initiative which works with non-profit organisations in low- and middle-income countries to connect children with quality audiological care. 

At Sense International, we too believe that through collaboration our impact can reach much further. That’s why we’ve been working with the Hear the World Foundation (HWTF) since 2024 to provide hearing care solutions for babies and children with hearing loss in Kenya, as part of our ongoing sensory screening and early intervention work. 

Under the leadership of Sense International Kenya, the programme has helped to establish the first audiology centre in Kwale County. HWTF has provided audiology expertise to help train local healthcare professionals and supplied specialist screening equipment. 

The programme is also making hearing care more accessible for the future. Hearing aids must be custom fitted to each child using ear moulds, a lengthy and sometimes costly process. Currently, these moulds are only made in one clinic in Nairobi, meaning earmould impressions must be sent in bulk from Kwale County; some families are forced to wait months for their children to receive hearing aids, whilst transport costs add up. With the support of HWTF, Sense International Kenya is now establishing a new ear mould lab in the County, cutting waiting times and lowering the cost of care so that more families can be supported. By innovating systems to fill gaps in existing healthcare structures, this work will make a difference far beyond the scope of the programme. 

A team from HWTF visited Kwale County in September to meet with staff and supported families. Many parents travelled specifically to attend sessions where they could share their children’s experiences and the impact of the support they’ve received from Sense International Kenya. The parents were highly motivated, with the services giving them a space to come together, build community, and advocate for their children. Some have shared their thoughts with us: 

“My child has a right to services and help to ensure we can advocate for change.”  

“Parents shouldn’t stay at home with their child—they need wider support, and it’s here.”  

“Sense International has helped me ensure my child progresses with sitting up and other developmental milestones.” 

Parents of children supported by Sense International’s early intervention services in Kenya 

The team also met with the 21 nurses, physical therapists and occupational therapists who have been trained by Sense International Kenya to conduct hearing screening across 15 health facilities in the region. They shared the progress the programme has made as well as the challenges they faced, informing recommendations on how services could be improved. Senior Program Manager and audiologist Dr. Jacqueline Drexler shared that the team was particularly impressed with team’s database; data is critical to understand the need for these services to fill the gaps left by healthcare, has the potential to be used for influencing policy and integrating services into other facilities in the region and beyond. Thanks in part to their close work with the Sense International Kenya team, the Kwale County government is committed to ensuring positive change continues. 

“We are seeing good integration. Integration is key, and in this instance has happened from top down as well as bottom up. We must continue and not let these children down.” 

Kwale County Director of Health 

The proactive partnership approach of Hear the World Foundation has been truly invaluable for Sense International. Receiving expertise and technical feedback alongside funding has helped to maximise the impact of our project, allowing us to strengthen our own audiology knowledge and inform our broader early intervention services. 

Thank you to the Hear the World Foundation for their valued support, and to Jacqueline Drexler for sharing her experiences from the trip. We look forward to partnering together into the future!