Skip to main content
  • Accessibility
  • Headlines
  • Coronavirus-News
  • Get-Hooked
  • Technology
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Parasports
  • Ask Bhavna
  • NHBrandView
  • Independent Living
  • Lifestyle
  • NH Videos
×
Newz Hook – Changing Attitudes towards Disability Logo
  • Stories
  • Videos
  • Inclusive
  • NH Voice
  • Login
COVID-19 Notification by Government in Accessible Format

Accessibility Tools

Text Size:

Contrast Scheme:

  • C
  • C

Reset

  • Home
  • Get-hooked
  • Experts push for universal screening for hearing disabilities in India

Experts push for universal screening for hearing disabilities in India

Baby girl
Get-hooked March 4, 2020
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
0

Don’t let hearing loss limit you. That was the theme of World Hearing Day in 2020. A day set aside by the World Health Organisation to raise awareness about how to prevent deafness and hearing loss as well as promote ear and hearing care across the world. In India, an estimated 27,000 children are born deaf every year and experts say there is an urgent need to make universal screening for hearing disabilities mandatory and finally there seems to be a push in this regard. That is our focus on #StoryOfThe Week.

Hearing loss is an invisible condition and there is little awareness about this condition. The only way to ensure children with hearing loss are identified and treated as soon as possible is by screening them for possible signs of deafness at birth itself. That test is the Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS). This is a medical test for early detection of congenital hearing loss.

The goal of early hearing detection and intervention is to maximise linguistic competence and literacy development for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Without appropriate opportunities to learn language, these children will fall behind their hearing peers in communication, cognition, reading, and social-emotional development. Such delays may result in lower educational and employment levels in adulthood.

Early screening mandated in many parts of the West

“Universal New Born Hearing Screening has resulted in significantly lowering the average age of identification in the developed countries”, points out Vahishtai J Daboo. Daboo is a Listening and Spoken Language Specialist and certified Auditory Verbal Therapist. She is also the co-founder and trustee of VConnect Foundation, a Mumbai-based support group for parents of children with a hearing impairment.

Screening is a necessary first step, which then needs to be followed up with early intervention which is fitting of the most appropriate amplification device (hearing aid, cochlear implant – depending on each child’s degree and type of hearing loss) and extensive ‘Auditory Verbal Therapy’ by qualified Auditory Verbal Therapists who work with families to enable their child to learn to listen, speak and become independent contributing members of mainstream society. – Vahishtai J Daboo, Listening & Spoken Language Specialist/Certified Auditory Verbal Therapist

Hearing loss screening – Guidelines & Recommendations

The Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH) Position Statement 2007, endorses early detection of and intervention for infants with hearing loss. It recommends that to maximise the outcome for infants who are deaf or hard of hearing, hearing of all infants should be screened at no later than one month of age. Those who do not pass screening should have a comprehensive audiological evaluation at no later than three months of age. Infants with confirmed hearing loss should receive appropriate intervention at no later than six months of age from health care and education professionals with expertise in hearing loss and deafness in infants and young children.

Regardless of previous hearing-screening outcomes, all infants with or without risk factors should receive ongoing surveillance of communicative development beginning at two months of age during well-child visits in the medical home.

“India most certainly needs to have the UNBHS programme in place just like in the developed countries”, says Daboo. “It is imperative to make it mandatory for every single new born baby in our country. Contrary to general belief, 95% of deaf children have some residual hearing. If identified young, they can be taught to ‘Listen and Speak’. 0 to 2 years is the most critical period for neural plasticity, to enable the brain to make maximum neurological connections for the development of speech and language”.

Meetings are being held between medical experts and the government to discuss ways to make UNBHS mandatory in India. “There are many positive steps being taken in this regard and I am hopeful that this will come through soon in India”.

Watch in Sign Language

Also Read:

  • Support group VConnect launches mainstream guide for kids with hearing loss
0

Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today

We need your continued support to enable us work towards Changing Attitudes towards Disability. Help us in our attempt to share the voices of people with disabilities that enable them to participate in the society on an equal footing!

Contribute to Newz Hook

NH Videos

Healing pain through art - Dr. Anubha Mahajan, Founder Chronic Pain India

Read more on Newz Hook

  • Technology
    Check out these free apps that help develop fine motor skills in children with cerebral palsy

Contribue to Newz Hook. Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today.

Newsletter

 Subscribe to our Newsletter

Want to feature your inspiring story or share an event with the disabled community? Write to:

editor@newzhook.com

Related News

Christine Ha has covered her eyes and the words how you see me are on the back of her hand

Get-hooked

Blind MasterChef winner Christine Ha is the face of month-long campaign this International Women’s Day

Matthew Walzer is wearing a blue shirt

Get-hooked

Matthew Walzer’s letter continues to make an impact nearly 10 years later

Close up of blind cook Christine Ha

Get-hooked

“Find ways to help yourself” – Blind MasterChef winner Christine Ha’s powerful message for women with disabilities

Images of the 5 apps featured in article

Technology

Check out these free apps that help develop fine motor skills in children with cerebral palsy

Newz Hook - Accessible News

Download App Now!

Videos

View More

Get-hooked

Autism no barrier for Kuhu, who crafts the most amazing jewellery designs

Get-hooked

Understanding disabled children & family dynamics

Get-hooked

Playback singer Archana Vijayan is thrilled as first song gathers praise

Get-hooked

Veruschka Foundation starts online cooking modules for people with developmental disabilities

Newz Hook Logo

About Newz Hook

Newz Hook is a media site focusing on Changing Attitudes towards Disability globally. We highlight stories that share insights into the lives of people with disabilities, offer solutions and create collaborations. Our focus is to have Inclusion Champions from across the globe who share knowledge about disability, inclusion & accessibility.

Lets come together to change attitudes towards disability!

Newz Hook is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Follow us on:

Related Links

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Partner with Newz Hook
  • Embed Newz Hook Timeline
  • Affiliate disclosure
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Contribute to Newz Hook

Our Awards

Zero Project Award Winner 2018
Back To Top
© 2019 All Right Reserved. Inclusive News India Private Limited.

Ask Bhavna

All fields are mandatory unless specified as optional.