Crown Prince follows up on hearing disability initiative

AMMAN — HRH Crown Prince Hussein, the Regent, on Wednesday paid a visit to Al Hussein Medical Centre where he checked on children who have undergone cochlear implant surgeries.

The surgeries were part of the Hearing Without Borders initiative, launched by the Crown Prince late 2014 in a bid to make Jordan free of hearing disabilities and help deaf children in the country, according to a Royal Court statement.

As he launched the initiative, the Prince noted some 300 children in Jordan are born with hearing disabilities every year and they need help to be able to hear and speak. He added that the chance for these children is great if there is adequate medical intervention before they are six years old.

During Wednesday’s visit, the Crown Prince instructed concerned agencies to establish a mobile ear clinic to offer medications and conduct surveys on hearing disabilities. 

A total of 471 children have undergone cochlear implant surgeries since 2013, performed by surgeons from the Royal Medical Services at various military-run and public hospitals.

Prince Hussein was accompanied by Royal Medical Services Director Maj. Gen. Mueen Habashenh, Royal Court Secretary General Yousef Issawi and the director of the Crown Prince’s office, Yahya Majali.