Silent no more: Doctors help patients hear again after years of chronic pain

For 17-year-old Hillary Midenyo, every day began with pain, a sharp, throbbing ache in his ear that never seemed to end. Nights were worse, marked by sleeplessness, fever and the constant discharge of pus. His childhood has been defined by pain, endless hospital visits and missed school days.

Hillary’s guardian, Carolyn Onzare, knows the story all too well. She has been both a mother and a nurse to him, watching helplessly as the little boy battled a condition she barely understood.

“My name is Carolyn Onzare,” she begins softly. “I’m Hillary’s aunt, and I’ve taken care of him since he was a child after his mother passed away. He was only two years old when he first complained of pain in one ear and had a high fever. I thought it was just a normal infection that would heal with time but I was wrong.”

The next day, Carolyn recalls, Hillary’s ear burst, releasing a thick discharge of pus. “At first, I thought maybe he had injured himself inside the ear,” she says.

“I took him to a nearby hospital where they gave us antibiotics. The doctor said he would be fine in a few days. But things didn’t improve. The pain got worse, the pus continued and my child could barely sleep.”

She moved from one facility to another, spending money she didn’t have, in search of a cure. “At one point, I thought he would go deaf,” she says, her voice cracking. “He missed so much school. There were days he couldn’t even stand the pain. It broke my heart.”

Life became a cycle of pain, medication and uncertainty. Carolyn, who is unemployed, says the condition drained both their energy and finances. “For years, we lived from one prescription to another, praying something would work,” she recalls.

When she heard about a ear surgery camp at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) in Kisumu, she wasted no time registering. “When they told me there was a medical camp for children with ear problems, I felt it was an answered prayer,” she says.

Early prevention

Doctors diagnosed Hillary with Chronic Otitis Media (COM), a persistent ear infection that causes a hole in the eardrum, constant pus discharge and progressive hearing loss. Left untreated, it can cause serious complications, including meningitis.

Globally, COM affects an estimated 65–330 million people, with up to 60 per cent experiencing significant hearing loss. The World Health Organisation reports the highest prevalence in the Western Pacific and South-East Asia, followed by Africa. In Kenya, a study by the National Library of Medicine found that among children aged 2 to 15 years, the prevalence of chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) was 15 per 1,000, with rural Rift Valley children most affected. Most cases begin before the age of four, highlighting the urgent need for early prevention through proper ear care and vaccination to reduce long-term hearing complications.

Today, Carolyn is grateful. Hillary successfully underwent ear surgery during the JOOTRH camp and is recovering well. “The surgery was like a miracle for us,” she says with a smile. “The pain is gone. The discharge has stopped. He can hear better and is now more active. For the first time in years, I have peace. I know things will be okay.”

At another corner of the ward sits Lydia Akoth, 38, a staff member at JOOTRH. Her daughter, Stancy Adhiambo, has lived with the same condition for more than 13 years.

“It all started with her scratching her ear,” Lydia recounts. “At first, I thought it was just irritation. She used to complain about mild pain and for a whole year, we assumed it was nothing serious.”

But the mild pain soon turned into a nightmare. “She began crying at night, saying her ear hurt and something was coming out,” Lydia recalls. “I panicked and took her to the hospital. They said she needed surgery. In 2003, she underwent an operation, but unfortunately, it wasn’t successful. After a few months, the pus came back.”

For years, Stancy lived on antibiotics. “We visited countless hospitals, and every time, doctors prescribed more medicine,” Lydia says. “She missed so many classes that her school performance dropped. She even had to carry packets of cotton to school to block the discharge.”She pauses, holding back tears. “It’s painful to watch your child suffer and not be able to help. Sometimes she couldn’t hear unless I shouted. It’s a disability that creeps in quietly.”

When Lydia heard about the ear surgery camp at JOOTRH, she saw it as her daughter’s second chance. “I registered immediately,” she says. “After the surgery, Stancy’s condition has greatly improved,  no more pus, no pain. She’s healing and can finally focus on her education. I am beyond grateful.”

Free surgeries

The five-day surgical camp, which began on October 27, has brought new hope to dozens of patients like Hillary and Stancy. Organised by JOOTRH’s Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Department in partnership with the Ear Drop Foundation from the Netherlands, the camp offers free ear surgeries for patients suffering from long-term infections and hearing complications.

According to Dr Neville Okwiri, an ENT surgeon at JOOTRH and one of the camp’s coordinators, the initiative’s main goal is to provide relief to patients who have endured chronic ear diseases for years, some since childhood.

“This camp mainly targets patients with long-standing hearing problems caused by chronic infections,” Dr  Okwiri explains. “Our main objective is to give them a safe and dry ear, one that does not discharge pus or cause pain. In some cases, we can also improve their hearing, but that’s secondary. What matters most is ensuring the ear is healthy and safe.”

The camp runs for five days, from October 27 to October 31, performing between two and three surgeries each day depending on the complexity. “Some procedures take up to four hours,” Dr Okwiri notes. “They are delicate and require precision.”

He explains that Chronic Otitis Media occurs when there’s a permanent perforation of the eardrum, often resulting from a middle ear infection that was either untreated or poorly managed during childhood. “It’s a major concern because it can lead to constant discharge, reduced hearing and in severe cases, infections that spread to the brain,” he says.

Dr Okwiri says the condition is particularly common in developing countries due to overcrowding, poor nutrition and limited access to specialized care. “It’s not hereditary,” he clarifies. “However, it is associated with factors such as malnutrition, living in congested environments and low immunity.”

He emphasizes that prevention is just as important as treatment. “Childhood immunisation plays a huge role. Good hygiene, nutrition and timely medical attention can prevent such conditions from developing,” he says.

Despite its prevalence, many families are unaware that surgery is the definitive treatment. “For patients with a permanent eardrum perforation, surgery is the only solution,” says Dr Okwiri. “Antibiotics may help when there’s active infection, but they do not heal the perforation. Without surgery, the condition persists.”

Capacity building

He adds that the camp not only offers free treatment but also builds the capacity of local medical staff. “Through collaborations like this one with Ear Drop Foundation, we get to share expertise, train young surgeons and improve ear care services in the region,” he says.

The Ear Drop Foundation, based in the Netherlands, has been partnering with Kenyan hospitals for over 40 years to improve ear and hearing care. This is their first time working in Kisumu, though they have previously supported similar programmes in Nairobi and Mumias.

Dr Michelle Engel, one of the visiting ENT surgeons and board members of the foundation, says their mission is to empower local specialists and restore hearing for children suffering from chronic ear infections.

“We’ve been coming to Kenya since 1983,” Dr Engel says. “Our goal is to train ENT surgeons so that they can independently perform ear surgeries and help children with chronic ear diseases. We started in Nairobi, moved to Mumias, and this is our first time in Kisumu.”

The team comprises two ENT surgeons and several audiologists. “Every year, we come to Kenya twice to give training and perform surgeries. We work closely with hospitals like Kenyatta National Hospital and now JOOTRH,” Dr Engel explains.

She describes Chronic Otitis Media as a common yet neglected condition. “It’s basically a middle ear infection that causes pain, discharge and hearing loss because there’s a hole in the eardrum,” she says. “During surgery, we remove the infection and close the hole, allowing the patient to hear better and live without discharge.”

Each surgery, she says, can take between three and four hours. “We must be extremely careful because the structures inside the ear are very delicate. If we make a wrong move, we can damage the facial nerve or even cause deafness. So we take our time to ensure everything is done safely.”

Dr Engel notes that in Kenya and other developing countries, many patients endure this condition for years due to delayed diagnosis or lack of access to antibiotics. “If infections are not treated early, they become chronic,” she explains.

“Some patients live with ear discharge for ten or more years. In severe cases, the infection can spread to the brain and become fatal.”

She urges parents to seek medical help early. “If your child has ear pain, discharge or trouble hearing, please visit an ENT clinic. Antibiotics can help in the early stages, but once the eardrum is perforated, surgery is necessary,” she says.

The foundation’s collaboration with Dr Okwiri, she adds, was inspired by his dedication and expertise. “We’ve known Dr Okwiri since his training days in Nairobi through our previous ear surgery courses.

He invited us to Kisumu, and we’re glad we came. The local team is passionate, the environment is beautiful, and the patients are incredibly resilient.”

Specialised equipment

Dr Engel says they have already performed several successful surgeries since the camp began. Chronic ear disease, though often overlooked, carries a heavy social and economic burden. For children, hearing loss affects not just education but also speech development and social interaction. For adults, it limits employment opportunities and quality of life.

“Imagine a child who can’t hear properly in class?” Dr Okwiri poses. “They struggle to follow lessons, fall behind and may eventually drop out. This is not just a medical issue it’s a developmental one.”

He explains that many cases could be prevented or managed early if communities had access to simple interventions such as topical antibiotic ear drops, awareness about ear hygiene, and regular checkups. “The burden is huge,” he says. “But with initiatives like this camp, we’re making progress.”

The surgeries are expensive, requiring specialized equipment such as microscopes and high-speed drills. “That’s why partnerships like this one are vital,” says Dr Okwiri. “They help bridge the gap between medical expertise and access to care.”

For Carolyn and Lydia, the transformation is already evident. Hillary now laughs freely, no longer clutching his ear in pain. Stancy, now a Form Three student, talks about catching up in school and dreams of becoming a nurse someday.

“I want to help others like me,” she says shyly. Both Dr Okwiri and Dr Engel believe the fight against  chronic ear infections requires a mix of awareness, preventive healthcare and surgical intervention.

“This is not a rare condition,” Dr Okwiri stresses. “It’s very common in developing countries. The earlier we treat it, the better the outcomes.” Dr Engel adds, “Our biggest message is: don’t ignore ear infections. Seek help early. Ear health is as important as any other aspect of health.”