2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
3/16/2026 | 11:25 AM - 11:55 AM | Integrating Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) into Maternal and Child Health Services: Experience from Kapsabet County Referral Hospital Nandi County, Western Kenya | City Terrace 8
Integrating Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) into Maternal and Child Health Services: Experience from Kapsabet County Referral Hospital Nandi County, Western Kenya
Abstract
Integrating Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) into Maternal and Child Health Services: Experience from Kapsabet County Referral Hospital Nandi County, Western Kenya
Authors:
Obed Limo¹, Mercy Jepkirui², Steve Kitur³
¹Hospital Administrator, Kapsabet County Referral Hospital; Program Manager, Children Speech and Hearing Loss Organisation (CHISHLO); PhD (Health Systems Management) Student, Kenya Methodist University
²Environmental and Social Safety Officer, CHISHLO
³Speech and Language Therapist; Director, CHISHLO
Abstract:
Early identification and management of childhood hearing loss are vital for language, cognitive, and social development. In Kenya, an estimated 14 per 1,000 children are affected by hearing loss. Although a national policy exists, implementation in public facilities remains limited. Kapsabet County Referral Hospital (KRCH), a Level 5 facility in Nandi County, through the Children Speech and Hearing Loss Organisation (CHISHLO), is piloting an Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) model.
The program integrates hearing screening into Maternal and Child Health (MCH) services, targeting all children under five years. Screening is done using Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) devices. Children with a “refer” result are retested after 1–2 weeks, and persistent “refer” outcomes are referred for Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry (BERA) or Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA).
To date, over 23,000 children have been screened, with about 500 identified with hearing issues and 50–100 fitted with hearing aids. Most missed cases originated in the Neonatal Unit (NBU) and maternity wards. Strengthening screening at these points, alongside sensitizing health workers and educating mothers during Antenatal Care (ANC) visits, improved awareness and service uptake.
Integrating EHDI into MCH services is feasible and effective. Screening from birth within maternity and NBU units, supported by staff training, workflow optimization, and community sensitization, is essential for scaling up EHDI implementation in Kenya.
Keywords:
Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI), OAE Screening, Maternal and Child Health, CHISHLO, Kenya
- 1. Understand how integrating EHDI into MCH services improves early detection of childhood hearing loss.
- 2. Identify effective strategies for newborn screening at maternity and NBU levels, including staff and community sensitization.
- 3. Apply lessons from the KRCH pilot to strengthen and scale up EHDI programs in similar settings.
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Presenters/Authors
Obed Limo
(Primary Presenter), Kapsabet County Referral Hospital, Nandi County, limoobed@gmail.com;
Obed Kipkemboi Limo is a seasoned public health administrator and researcher with over 15 years of experience in health systems management, program implementation, and research coordination. He currently serves as the Hospital Administrator at a Level V Hospital in Kenya, where he oversees healthcare operations, human resources, finance, and service delivery improvement.
He also serves as the Program Manager for the Children Speech and Hearing Loss Organisation (CHISHLO), where he leads the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) program at Kapsabet County Referral Hospital—the only public hospital in Kenya piloting this initiative. Through this role, he applies his expertise in global health and research management to advance early hearing screening, strengthen referral pathways, and promote timely intervention for children with hearing loss.
Previously, Mr. Limo served as the Deputy Research Manager at AMPATH Kenya, overseeing the World Bank–funded PIC4C Project, which improved non-communicable disease care through screening, patient empowerment, and health worker training.
He holds a Master of Science in Global Health from the University of Eastern Africa, Baraton, and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Moi University. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Health Systems Management at Kenya Methodist University. A published researcher and member of the Bioethics Society of Kenya, Mr. Limo is passionate about strengthening health systems and using evidence-based approaches to address emerging challenges—particularly in childhood hearing loss.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.