Kenya’s third advanced hearing test centre opens in Meru

World Wide Hearing Foundation International is funding a €353,000 project expected to bring hearing screening, diagnosis and treatment closer to 10,000 children and adults

Families in Meru and neighbouring counties have often had to travel long distances for advanced hearing tests. A new audiology wing at Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital now brings this service closer to home.

CBM, the County Government of Meru and AIC Health Ministries opened the refurbished wing on 8 October 2026. The facility is equipped with new technology for hearing screening and diagnosis.

At the centre of the investment is a Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry (BERA) machine. The machine measures the brain’s response to sound and helps health professionals detect hearing loss in infants, young children and persons who find conventional hearing tests difficult.

Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital is reported to be Kenya’s third facility equipped with a BERA machine, after Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi and Kapsabet County Referral Hospital in Nandi County.

Earlier diagnosis gives children a better chance of receiving timely support for communication, learning and development. It also allows patients to access specialist assessments without travelling to distant referral hospitals.

€353,000 project will expand hearing care

World Wide Hearing Foundation is funding the wider ear and hearing care project, valued at KES 51.4 million, approximately €353,000.

The project has provided equipment and supplies worth approximately €143,000. These include hearing screening and diagnostic equipment, as well as 212 digital hearing aids with ear moulds, batteries and fitting accessories.

By the end of the project, an estimated 10,000 children and adults are expected to receive hearing screening, diagnosis, or treatment.

The effect reaches beyond the clinic. Early diagnosis helps families understand and respond to a child’s hearing loss. A fitted hearing aid helps a student participate in class. Services closer to home reduce transport and accommodation costs and cut time spent away from school or work.

Trained staff and interpreters improve access

Healthcare workers need the right skills to operate the equipment, interpret results and maintain the service. Meru County Chief Officer for Health Dr. Koome Muthuri reaffirmed the county government’s commitment to training staff and maintaining the equipment.

The project also addresses communication barriers within healthcare facilities. Healthcare workers, hospital staff and community members completed sign language training at Kaaga School for the Deaf. They also learned how to train others, helping to extend sign language skills across health facilities and communities.

Access to sign language support helps Deaf patients explain symptoms, understand diagnoses, give informed consent and follow treatment instructions.

Local partnerships support lasting services

CBM is working with the County Government of Meru and AIC Health Ministries to bring together specialist equipment, trained staff and accessible communication within one regional service.

This partnership strengthens Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital as a referral centre for surrounding counties. It also embeds the service within the county health system, where trained local staff will support its continued delivery.