Sikkim November 2015

Sikkim has both Protected and Restricted areas, with permits required in each…. we were here by invitation, however our passports and photos were constantly requested.

Everywhere in Sikkim are signs about Clean Green Sikkim, fresh organic produce, protection of the forests and rivers, staying safe on the roads.

Sikkim is not a poor country, just has little to offer in the way of hearing services, and our charter is to provide where we can, services where there is a clear lack of available services.

In all camps we were warmly received, as hearing services are not readily available

If the follow up to our visits is maintained by those we trained, with reports against each recipient forth coming, we plan to revisit in about two years. Not only will the local organizations maintain sponsorship of our transport, food and lodgings, but next time will also pay for hearing device batteries and medicines dispensed.

As always, the joy in our trips is the benefit we can bring to people suffering the consequences of hearing loss and ear disease.

Here are some of their stories….

1^st Ear Camp RAVANGLA (Rabongla)

30^thOctober to 1^st November held at Kunphenling Tibetan Settlement, Health Clinic.

Settlement Officer: Dakpa Tenzin:             Secretary: Norbu Wangdu        Nurse: Dechen Tsomo;

Ram RAM, 42yrs, came to clinic with a lady whose house he is employed in as a labourer. Deaf speech, likely had hearing loss from birth. Bilateral severe hearing loss. Fitted with binaural BTE hearing aids. Could understand simple conversation, recognise his name called, cause for smiles and happiness all round.

Bhutya CHOMDEN, 32yrs. History of head injury due to car accident with resultant severe hearing loss. Bilateral mixed severe h/loss. Fitted with binaural BTE h/aids, will assist her in gaining employment and easier communication in daily life.

Kyisur KYISUR, 95yrs, Bilateral severe hearing loss. Trialled h/aid, but preferred Mini with earbuds. Family can communicate more easily, so happy!

Siddarth GURUNG, 6yrs, Came with both parents, Brought assessment report from April 2015, showing mod-severe loss R and severe loss L on ABR, Normal tympanograms. H/aids recommended, but unavailable to this family. Speech is very quiet/ whisper. Fitted with binaural hearing aids, could hear parents without facing them.

Dechen Tsomo (Health Centre nurse) phoned them to follow-up on 10/11, and they said everything was good, Siddarth was wearing the hearing aids and hearing well. Now he will be able to have every chance to learn well at school and maintain clear speech. Custom made earmoulds will be sent when they have been made by NAHOH in Kathmandu.

2^nd November – Drove from Rabongla to Lachung, in North Sikkim – 10 hours travel

Clinic was set up in the Govt.school, where the children were from Nepali families working in north Sikkim. The local Bhutia and Lepcha families mostly send their children to other schools in the region.

The first day was a school holiday, and mostly older adults came for ear checks. The local teacher, Angmo Lepcha, still came to assist us.

The second day the Indian Army was running an Arts program in the school with the theme about Protection of the Environment. All students sat on the ground on the parade ground drawing a poster with their ideas about this topic.

Lew and Sue were asked to choose the winners..…there were many!

All children expressed their ideas of not cutting down trees, not wasting water, reducing garbage, and protecting animals.

Lew spoke to the Army Officer in Charge, while the children were drawing, about why we were there, and then asked him nicely to “please not kill anyone”. He replied “We don’t sir, we don’t”, with a big smile. What a refreshing change! No guns to be seen.

Mani Kumar BUREWA, 55 yrs – Army officer. Has moderate-severe hearing loss. Fitted with L BTE h/aid, so can communicate better in his job and participate more fully.

Sonam BHUTIA,26yrs, Cleft lip/ palate. Bilateral severe mixed h/loss. Fitted with R h/aid and can now easily communicate with others.

5^th November

Early morning trip to Lumthang, to see the lake and a close-up view of Kanchenjunga mountain over the Tibetan border, like we could just reach up and touch it. Large rhododendron forests on the way, changing in variety as we climbed higher. It must be a most spectacular sight in the Spring, when each variety puts on its different coloured show. Other alpine plants and varied mosses painted a most stark contrast to the canefields and tropical rainforest of home.

A breakfast of Tibetan bread then a 4 hour drive to Mangan, a larger town in the south of North Sikkim, where we were met and set straight to work in the local Council offices.

With a wealth of past experience, Lew and Keshab set to setting up our own battery and stabilizer power supply before Camp was commenced, so as to be independent of any possible power outages.

BHUTIA Ugen Gyurmik, 59 yrs, Moderately-severe hearing loss, fitted with L hearing aid, Happy to be able to hear friends and family more easily.

Tshering and Zhangmu, helped to interpret and generally assisted with the running of the camp. As they have local knowledge of most of the attendees, they were touched by the difference hearing devices can make to those with significant hearing loss, especially the 3 teenaged boys who chose from the options, both one hearing aid and a Maxi device with earbuds. These looked just like wearing a phone or iPod with earphones! Teenagers happy!

Laxman SARKAR, 14yrs. Profound hearing loss since illness at age 7yrs, either meningitis or typhoid. Tshering reports that meningitis is not uncommon in school aged and teenaged children in Sikkim, often they do not survive this serious infection. Fitted with L h/aid and also Maxi with earbuds for better acceptance by a teenager. Gained some sound awareness and aid to lipreading with Maxi.

Sonam LEPCHA,17yrs, Profound mixed h/loss L , profound sensorineural loss R since birth. Father came with him, hoping for some help for his son. Fitted L hearing aid and Maxi for improved cues to aid lipreading. Could hear his Dad’s voice and understand when facing him.

Suk Raj CHETTRI, 16yrs, Profound SNHL since childhood, L ear slightly better. Fitted left hearing aid plus Maxi to assist with lipreading and sound awareness.

On the following day, Keshab was presented with a young boy of 8 yrs, who had lodged something in his ear. He had been advised to travel to Gangtok to see the ENT specialist to have it removed, but Keshab was able to pluck a piece of eraser safely from his ear canal. This saved the trip to the capital, and father and young patient were very grateful he could hear in both ears again.

Kumar TAMANG, 36yrs, sloping mod-severe hearing loss, since birth. Fitted left hearing aid. Improves his opportunities for employment, as well as fuller participation in communication.

Sila Devi RAWAT,33yrs, Bilateral mod-severe conductive hearing loss. Eardrum perforations from childhood infection. Fitted R hearing aid and Sila Devi was very happy to be able to hear conversation without need to watch faces.

Chandra Bahadur TAMANG, 80yrs, Hearing loss has been longstanding, bilateral moderate to moderately severe. Fitted with Mini with ear buds for ease of use. Can hear average spoken speech levels more easily, no need for others to shout when talking with him.

Young woman, 30 yrs (Dolma, real name and photo withheld by request for security reasons, fear of further violence), came accompanied by female friend. Victim of domestic violence, resulting in loss of hearing several years ago. Bilateral moderate to severe loss. Fitted with two hearing aids, can hear friends now speak without shouting.( Permitted use of case history without photo.)

7^th November

Drove to Gangtok, the Capital of Sikkim, where a free day in and around Gangtok allowed for local sightseeing. Perchance too, it was Diwali festival (Festival of Lights), so we enjoyed the happy atmosphere with local people out celebrating in family groups.

Visited some of the local monasteries as well as to Lake Tsomgo at nearly 4000 metres. Snowball fights and photo opportunities abounded.

9^th November

Travel day back to Rabongla, via Temi Organic Tea Garden, where beautiful pink trees like cherry trees lined the edges of each tea farm.

10^th November

Ear Camp resumed at clinic, and with fewer numbers attending, there was some opportunity for training and handover of medicines and follow-up instructions with the clinic staff.

One memorable case made this return visit more than worthwhile……

Mohan GURUNG , 25yrs. Came with his sister. Left school in Class 8 as unable to hear. Has been at home since then (past 8 years), and is suffering depression. Appeared withdrawn until aids fitted and he was introduced to Black Bear, then gave his first smile to us. His sister says he will now go back to school, and his future is brighter.

11^th November Return to Kathmandu.

Despite ongoing blockades at the border, preventing fuel, gas and other goods entering the country by road, the important Tihar/Diwali festival was in full swing, with colourful mandalas at every doorstep and garlands of lowers and light offerings everywhere.

Throngs of tourists and a happy vibe filled the streets. Cafes and restaurants were cooking with wood on earthen stoves.

Keshab was able to get around on his pushbike, also keeping fit in the process.

These Nepalis are very resilient people – the country has much to show us.

Come, and see for yourself!