Listen to the story of a kind, endearing and passionate man named Samuel Ochenehi.

Samuel Ochenehi is a patient we have had the honor of knowing for several years now. He is a father to 2 beautiful children and husband to his wife, Messe. Sam received his cochlear implant from Dr. Green in 2012. He is currently a resident at Jos University Teaching Hospital and is pursuing his dream to help others with hearing loss.

Sam was in his second year as a medical student when, in January of 2006, he took ill with fever and lost his hearing. “I felt hopeless. That I wouldn’t be able to complete my schooling”, he told us. Though his grades proved his knowledge, the school was not going to let him graduate due to his hearing loss. This caused deep discouragement in his life …

Please read this patient testimonial of a man whose powerful story has impacted many.

Emmanuel Michael

“God saved my life”

31 years old

From Delta State and now lives in Jos

Married with a 2-year-old boy and 6-year-old girl.

Emmanuel described himself as a “street boy” as his family moved to Delta State after his father retired from the military in Lagos, Nigeria.

Emmanuel worked in a bakery. On December 7, 2004, the oven that He was working from exploded. A hot pipe went through his face, jaw to the eye socket, and laid him down on top of the hot oven causing burns across his torso. “They were trying to abandon me in the hospital”, Emmanuel told us. Doctors had unanimously decided that he would not survive and they should let him die. Dr. Joel Anthis, however, provided the means for him to stay …

This week our doctors have performed many life-changing surgeries such as cochlear implants and tympanoplasty procedures. They have brought relief to many with ear pain and medical needs. They have celebrated with patients who smile big when their hearing aids have been turned on for the first time. We even had the opportunity for an early activation for Susan’s cochlear implant. She was excited to hear the chime of her phone!

Another important thing that has been happening throughout the trip has been investing in the future of Nigeria. We have had the opportunity to teach medical staff and students that will continue and carry on with providing hearing help for Africa. Dr. Green and Dr. Wood have held classes on hearing problems and treatments as well as a class in Cochlear implants and one class on the temporal bone. Our …

We left a little early today from clinic to visit some very special people. The team went to orphanages today to love on the little ones as well as their caregivers.

One of the orphanages was for “Internally Displaced Persons”, meaning they are refugees in their own country. Looking into their little eyes and caring for them, even for just a little while was a moving experience for our team. We gave lots of hugs and high fives. We played soccer with the balls we brought for them. It was heart-wrenching to have to leave them behind as the van drove away.

We also visited an orphanage for teenage girls. They sang a song for us that they wrote together and it was beautiful! We shared our names with them, which they were tickled by, and heard theirs. Dr. Green asked them …

You would love Susan and her husband! Susan is a 38-year-old wife and mother with profound hearing loss living in Jos, Nigeria. Today Susan underwent surgery and did very well!

In a cochlear implant counseling session yesterday, Susan and her husband were presented with the opportunity to receive a cochlear implant. They had to decide if they would move forward with the surgery happening the following day. When Susan and her husband learned that they had enough money in their bank account to afford what is normally a very expensive operation, Susan immediately sprung from her chair and straight to her knees. Her hands were raised high and tears were flowing with gratitude. Her husband followed her with the same thankful spirit. “I have a two-year-old baby. I cannot hear my baby cry”, Susan told us. Her momma’s heart was very …

Today began with a course at BHUTH (evangel hospital) taught by Donna Smith, PA. She presented a lecture on neurotology, anatomy/physiology, vertigo, and Meniere’s Disease to a group of Nigerian doctors, nurses and medical students who had come to learn.

At the clinic today, the waiting room was overflowing with patients to be evaluated. Dr. Elizabeth Selle and Dr. Ryan Funderburk tested and fit many patients for hearing aids while Donna Smith, PA saw patients for medical visits.

Dr. Green’s Cochlear Implant operation on five-year-old Boniface went very well today. Boniface’s family is thrilled and very grateful for this life-changing day!

Fuki, a 14-year-old girl and her family told us that she had inhaled a “pin” two weeks ago. Her scans showed that the item was lodged deep in her bronchial tube. In the hospital, she had been sharing a room with a …

What a beautiful African morning! Today we had the honor of worshipping with ECWA Gospel 2 Church. The hospitality we encountered with all those we met was a humbling experience. Their joyful songs, generosity and steadfast faith encouraged our team.

Later this afternoon Dr. Green, Dr. Wood and Donna Smith, PA saw many patients at Bringham University Teaching Hospital (BHUTH). There is an overwhelming need and many patients were waiting when we arrived. Several had traveled far just to be seen. This initial day at the clinic set the stage for a week of surgeries, hearing aid fittings and more. But even greater, a week of communicating value and hope to patients and our newfound friends in Nigeria.

A mission team has arrived in Jos, Nigeria! We are a group of nine, including several from Jacksonville Hearing and Balance Institute (JHBI). Our day began at the Sheraton Hotel in Abuja where we enjoyed a delicious breakfast alongside Pastor Ukubu, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria; David Young, Deputy Chief of Mission; and Stuart Symington, US Ambassador. How powerful it was for our team to get to hear from these amazing men. We admire their hearts for this country’s people and were moved by their contagious passion. What a perfect way to begin our trip as we seek to love, care for and provide hearing help to this city.

After breakfast, we made a drive down to Jos. We snapped photos and took in the beauty and culture of Nigeria. Now safely settled into the Baptist Guest House, we are …

In the fall of 2013, Dr. Green and a few of his staff from Jacksonville Hearing and Balance Institute returned (or went for the first time!) to Nigeria to check up on their patients and train the medial community in Jos. In Part I, Dr. Green explained more about the work his team is doing. In this Q&A post with Dr. Green, learn about the cultural differences his team encountered.

Q: What is a major difference, medically, than in the United States?
A: There’s a lot of ignorance even within the medical community. For instance, in Nigeria, after you graduate from medical school, you go to a village and provide medical care for a year. You’re fresh out of medical school and doing some fairly advanced types of things, and that’s tough to do. And basically, there’s no medical liability, so people …

In the fall of 2013, Dr. Green and a few of his staff from Jacksonville Hearing and Balance Institute returned (or went for the first time!) to Nigeria to check up on their patients and train the medial community in Jos. In these two Q&A posts with Dr. Green, find out about the work conducted during the trip as well as the cultural differences his team encountered.

Q: What have you been doing in Nigeria on most of your trips?
A: We’ve been seeing potential patients whom we could bring to Florida for surgery; getting the lab established; setting up the Internet and teleconferences; often it’s basic administrative stuff like that.

Q: You mentioned the lab. What is involved in setting up the lab?
A: Well, the lab is going to be named for Dr. Jack Hough, of Oklahoma City, OK. He was the …