Free medical care in UAE for children with hearing loss

Figures indicate that up to 4% of people in the UAE may suffer some degree of hearing loss and not treating the condition is known to be associated with very high costs long term. Under the new plan, children between 6 months and 4 years who are affected by hearing loss will be provided free treatment by the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, officials announced on January 18, 2017.

The Help Me Hear initiative was announced at a press conference held in conjunction with the Emirates Otorhinolaryngology Audiology and Communication Disorders Congress by Dr Hussein Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for the Health Centres and Clinics.

“Today, we are honored to announce the launch of the ministry’s Help Me Hear initiative designed to help children from the age of 6 months to 4 years with hearing loss,” he said. “This is part of the ‘Year of Giving’ as it will return the sense of hearing to a large number of children including expatriates and people from low-income families who cannot afford medical expenses.”

Interestingly, a recent UAE-based survey showed that people in Dubai believe that getting older is the main cause of hearing loss even though it may also be a birth defect.