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Project Summary: "Escuchando al Futuro" - Hearing for the Future
Objective
This project seeks to establish a comprehensive and sustainable hearing screening program for 3,000 children aged 0 to 5 years in the department of Suchitepéquez, Guatemala. It will involve the purchase of specialized equipment, training of healthcare personnel, and the organization of systematic hearing evaluations. A Parent School will also be created to strengthen family engagement and promote early detection and intervention for hearing loss. The ultimate goal is to ensure that every child has the opportunity to develop language, communication, and autonomy during critical neurodevelopmental stages-aligning with Rotary's Maternal and Child Health focus.
Needs Assessment
Between January and March 2025, the project team conducted hospital visits, interviews, and focus groups with mothers and health professionals. A critical gap was identified: the total absence of systematic hearing screening, which results in late or missed diagnoses.
Project Design
Equipment Acquisition:
2 CORTI analyzers for otoacoustic emissions (screening)
1 Sentiero Advance for diagnostic testing-a device that does not require sedation, helping avoid missed diagnoses due to illness or high anesthesia costs
3 laptops for mobile data entry
Training:
120 professionals (doctors, nurses, community health workers) will be trained across 3 years in OAE, ABR, and family counseling.
Screening Campaigns:
In partnership with HALO Guatemala, screenings will be conducted at the National Hospital of Mazatenango and in rural areas, aiming to screen 95% of newborns before 3 months of age.
Family Education:
Workshops on early language stimulation and hearing care for parents and caregivers.
Parent School:
Ongoing sessions for families of children diagnosed with hearing loss, covering topics like communication strategies, hearing aid maintenance, and inclusion rights.
Educational Referrals:
All diagnosed children will be referred to early childhood integration programs offered by the Ministry of Education and the Committee for the Blind and Deaf in Retalhuleu.
Monitoring:
A digital database will track progress and results. Reports will be submitted semiannually to the Rotary Club of Mazatenango and funding partners.
Beneficiaries
Type Number
Direct: Children (0-5 yrs) 3,000
Direct: Trained professionals 120+
Indirect: Parents/Caregivers 12,000+
Theory of Change
Detecting hearing loss before 3 months and beginning intervention before 6-12 months breaks the cycle of delayed speech, school failure, and social exclusion. This ensures children reach their full cognitive and emotional potential and reduces the long-term economic burden on families.
In Guatemala, many adults with untreated hearing loss rely on family support and live in social marginalization. This project envisions a generation of self-sufficient individuals able to contribute to the country's socioeconomic development.
By educating caregivers and training local health personnel, a community network will be formed-capable of recognizing early warning signs and ensuring timely support.
Sustainability
Equipment Ownership and Maintenance:
Devices will remain under HALO Guatemala's custody. Annual calibration and supplies will be covered by the project during its execution. Long-term, HALO will fund these costs through a dedicated fund, private donations, and small parent contributions, ensuring self-sustainability.
Continuous Training:
Annual refresher workshops will be held to ensure ongoing professional development.
Partnerships:
Coordination with the Ministry of Public Health, rural health posts, and local authorities, without asset transfer, will ensure long-term functionality.
Community Engagement:
Local contributions and private donors will support awareness campaigns and outreach.
💡 It is important to highlight that while this is not the first hearing screening initiative in Guatemala, it will be the first to implement a proven model in the Suchitepéquez region-adapted to local realities.
✅ The diagnostic equipment chosen does not require sedation, making it possible to test children even when mildly ill and avoiding dependency on costly anesthesiologists. This increases access and reduces risk, ensuring more children are accurately diagnosed and treated on time.
Partners
Rotary Club of Mazatenango
HALO Guatemala
Ministry of Public Health - Suchitepéquez Health Area
National Hospital of Mazatenango
Health Centers and Permanent Care Centers
Local Municipalities / Women's Offices
Universities, volunteers, and interns
Budget Breakdown
Category Activity/Details USD
Equipment 2 CORTI (screening) $18,000
Equipment 1 Sentiero Advance (diagnosis, no sedation needed) $22,000
Equipment 3 laptops $3,180
Operations Clinic rent (36 months) $15,480
Supplies Electrodes, gel, disposables (36 months) $3,060
Maintenance Annual equipment calibration (3 years) $2,250
Training Workshops and educational materials $5,000
Monitoring/Evaluation Database development and reporting $2,000
Salaries 2 technicians for 36 months $25,500
Travel Mobile units and rural transportation $1,500
Publicity/Outreach Community campaigns and hospital materials $800
🔹 Total Budget: $98,770 USD
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