Mulago hospital opens sh217m audiology booth to improve hearing tests
Mulago National Specialised Hospital has invested over sh217 million in a new audiology booth to improve hearing assessments, strengthen early diagnosis and expand access to hearing care, with specialists urging Ugandans to undergo routine hearing check-ups.
A participant undergoes a hearing assessment using the audiology booth as Dr Rosemary Byanyima (wearing glasses) and another doctor look on. (Photos by Fred Mubanda).
_________________ (L-R) Dr Rosemary Byanyima and Dr Abubakar Bugembe during the launch of the audiology booth. (Photos by Fred Mubanda).
Ugandans have been urged to prioritise routine hearing check-ups to enable early detection and treatment of hearing problems.
The call was made by ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists at Mulago National Specialised Hospital during the launch of a new audiology booth on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. The facility is expected to improve the accuracy of hearing assessments and enable more patients to access the service within the hospital.
Dr Abubakar Bugembe, a consultant ENT surgeon at Mulago, says the booth provides a controlled environment for conducting hearing tests, eliminating background noise that can interfere with results.
“The booth is a compartment with controlled noise levels. We have sound-measuring equipment to establish whether the environment meets acceptable standards for conducting hearing tests,” Bugembe says.
He explains that accurate hearing assessments require a quiet environment to produce reliable results that can be recognised by medical professionals internationally.
The facility will also reduce the need for patients to seek hearing assessment services at other health facilities.
Bugembe says the initial charge will be sh8,000 to cover consumables, including printing paper used during testing. However, the fee may change as the hospital introduces more advanced hearing assessment methods.
Dr Fred Biso, another senior ENT surgeon at Mulago, says the booth will make it easier for specialists to identify hearing problems that may not be detected through routine examinations.
He says it will be particularly useful in assessing newborn babies and young children who cannot communicate their hearing difficulties.
Biso notes that many Ugandans underestimate hearing loss and delay seeking medical attention. He urges the public to undergo regular hearing checks to identify problems before they worsen.
Hospital invests sh217m in equipment
Dr Rosemary Byanyima, the executive director of Mulago National Specialised Hospital, says the hospital invested more than Sh217 million in purchasing the audiology booth during the previous financial year.
She explains that installing the equipment had been challenging because it required a specially constructed compartment with controlled noise levels.
Byanyima says the booth costs approximately $58,000, adding that the hospital secured it last year before changes in the exchange rate could have increased the cost.
She congratulated the ENT team on the achievement, saying the investment reflects the hospital's commitment to improving healthcare through modern medical equipment.
Byanyima says the hospital will establish standard operating procedures to guide access to the service, including screening patients and referring those who need specialised hearing assessments.
Patients requiring hearing tests will now be identified and referred to the booth within the hospital, reducing the need to seek the service elsewhere.
Byanyima adds that any user fees will be communicated to the public and kept affordable to support the sustainability of the service. She says the hospital hopes to offer free assessments if the Government provides sufficient funding to meet operational costs.
Early testing can make a difference
One of the patients who has benefited from the facility is Angella Brenda Kusiima, who says she had experienced hearing difficulties in her right ear for about two weeks.
She describes persistent noises in the affected ear, similar to hissing or ringing, which continued during the day and at night.
After undergoing tests using the new booth, medical workers identified a problem and referred her for specific treatment.
Her experience highlights the importance of seeking medical attention when unusual hearing symptoms develop rather than ignoring them.
The hospital expects the new audiology booth to strengthen its hearing assessment services, improve early diagnosis and expand access to care for people experiencing hearing difficulties.