Throughout March 2026, the ORL 972 association—founded by Dr. Joël Boko and based at the Mangot-Vulcin campus of the Martinique University Hospital—carried out a series of hearing screening and awareness-raising initiatives. A look back at a particularly successful campaign, with Martine, a healthcare administrator and secretary of the association.
For several years now, the month of March has been synonymous with outreach efforts for the ORL 972 association. Once again this year, from March 2 to 31, 2026, professionals in the field offered the general public, healthcare workers, and the association’s partners free hearing screenings, conducted at participating private audiologist centers from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. If a hearing problem was detected, individuals were immediately referred to an ENT doctor for appropriate care. If no problem was found, they left with preventive advice for the coming year.
Three highlights of an unprecedented mobilization
In addition to ongoing screenings, three events marked Hearing Awareness Month. On March 12, a vestibular health event was held from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., bringing together vestibular physical therapists, doctors, and other specialists in balance disorders and vertigo. On March 14, the Hearing Village took over the plaza in front of Mangot-Vulcin Hospital from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Open to the public, it brought together numerous institutional and nonprofit partners: the Martinican Association for People with Disabilities, the Ministry of Education, the National Health Insurance Fund for Hospital Employees (MNH), the Sickle Cell Association, the Lions Club, as well as all partner hearing aid specialists.
Themed booths addressed noise, tinnitus, age-related hearing loss, and children’s hearing health. More than 300 visitors attended the event. A theater troupe performed a humorous skit about hearing, and the day ended on a high note with a raffle, featuring prizes such as a plane ticket donated by SAMAC Aimé-Césaire Airport and gift certificates.
Finally, on March 21, a scientific symposium brought this three-part series to a close. Structured in two parts—with the morning dedicated to children and the afternoon to adults—it allowed several speakers to present on the effects of noise and hearing disorders. The format, which was both rigorous and accessible, was well-received by the audience.
A Report That Gives Us Pause
The screening results confirm the value of this approach. Among those screened during the month, nearly half had hearing problems, and many of them were unaware of it. This figure echoes the warnings issued for several years by the Dr. Boko, which raises the possibility that hearing loss is significantly underdiagnosed among the population of Martinique.
«These results show that there was a real need to hold this event.»,
concludes Martine ALEBE, for whom this March 2026 was, in many ways, a particularly successful event. The next event is already eagerly anticipated.
Roland Dorival & Philippe PIED
THE ORL 972 ASSOCIATION AT A GLANCE
Founded by Dr. Joël Boko, an ENT physician at the Martinique University Hospital (Mangot-Vulcin campus, Le Lamentin), the ORL 972 association is dedicated to promoting hearing health in Martinique. Every year in March, it organizes Hearing Awareness Month in collaboration with private partners (hearing aid specialists, health insurance providers) and institutional partners, and also participates in public events such as Carnival to raise awareness about hearing protection.
