14.04.2025
Kolhapur: State govt has partnered with Bengaluru-based VAANI Deaf Children Foundation to screen newborns for hearing impairment.
State medical education minister Hasan Mushrif announced that the govt will provide free cochlear implants, surgery, and necessary medication to newborns diagnosed with hearing loss through this MoU
Executive director of VAANI Sumedha Joglekar, while talking to TOI, said the initial screening program will target newborns in government hospitals in Kolhapur, Satara, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and Pune.
"Using advanced technology, we will test newborns and guide parents on addressing hearing issues, aiming to enable these children to develop normally with mainstream education, often with the aid of hearing devices, Joglerkar said.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that globally, three out of every 1,000 newborns have hearing impairment. India's 2011 data aligns with this, indicating a prevalence of one to three affected newborns per 1,000. Recognizing the lack of screening mechanisms in government facilities, the foundation initiated a pilot program in Satara's govt district and tehsil maternity hospitals in Nov of last year to address this gap.
The organisation uses the Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) method to detect hearing impairment. The brain activity is monitored while various sounds are played to the newborn. Any abnormality in the auditory pathway is detected, based on which the conclusion is drawn. The test is performed by skilled staff within 48 hours of the child's birth..
"There are several reasons for congenital hearing impairment. Sometimes the mother is mainourished, which is a major reason. Sometimes the marriage is within the same bloodline, and then there are other factors such as prolonged exposure to X-rays and consuming medicines without checking with doctors whether those medicines are suitable during pregnancy," Joglekar said.
"Our staff carries out counselling of the parents to help them make informed choices, giving them options to ensure that their kid overcomes this challenge easily," she concluded.
State medical education minister Hasan Mushrif announced that the govt will provide free cochlear implants, surgery, and necessary medication to newborns diagnosed with hearing loss through this MoU
Executive director of VAANI Sumedha Joglekar, while talking to TOI, said the initial screening program will target newborns in government hospitals in Kolhapur, Satara, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and Pune.
"Using advanced technology, we will test newborns and guide parents on addressing hearing issues, aiming to enable these children to develop normally with mainstream education, often with the aid of hearing devices, Joglerkar said.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that globally, three out of every 1,000 newborns have hearing impairment. India's 2011 data aligns with this, indicating a prevalence of one to three affected newborns per 1,000. Recognizing the lack of screening mechanisms in government facilities, the foundation initiated a pilot program in Satara's govt district and tehsil maternity hospitals in Nov of last year to address this gap.
The organisation uses the Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) method to detect hearing impairment. The brain activity is monitored while various sounds are played to the newborn. Any abnormality in the auditory pathway is detected, based on which the conclusion is drawn. The test is performed by skilled staff within 48 hours of the child's birth..
"There are several reasons for congenital hearing impairment. Sometimes the mother is mainourished, which is a major reason. Sometimes the marriage is within the same bloodline, and then there are other factors such as prolonged exposure to X-rays and consuming medicines without checking with doctors whether those medicines are suitable during pregnancy," Joglekar said.
"Our staff carries out counselling of the parents to help them make informed choices, giving them options to ensure that their kid overcomes this challenge easily," she concluded.
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