The Capabilities of Children with Hearing Loss on Unguja, Zanzibar : A Minor Field Study

Abstract: This field study explored the lives of children with hearing loss on the biggest island of Zanzibar, Unguja. Through a qualitative method the collecting of data was performed by interviewing one ministry, one organization, two non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and 14 children with hearing loss. The method to find participants to the study was done through snowballing. The organizations have project plans to improve the living situation for the people with hearing loss on Zanzibar, however they lack resources and fundings to implement them. The consequences of living with undiagnosed hearing loss are behavioral problems and mental health issues, lower academic results, and working on less paid jobs. This research relates to the Sustainable Development Goals with focus on goal four, quality education. The result of this study is divided into two, one descriptive part and one covering the interviews of the children. The descriptive part enhances an understanding of the context and the view of people with hearing loss. The interviews with the children constitutes the data analyzed through the theoretical framework. The study established that the children on Unguja are limited in their development due to the lack of knowledge about hearing loss in communities, limited communication abilities, and lack of support in school. Resulting in limited abilities to develop and improve their living situations.