Organization: All India Institute of Speech and Hearing
Title: Awareness & Capacity Building for Teachers and Early Hearing Screening of Anganwadi and Primary School Children
Al title (for format and translation – not permanent:
Awareness & Capacity Building for Teachers and Early Hearing Screening of Anganwadi and Primary School Children
Description:
World Hearing Day 2026 was observed with strong emphasis on ensuring inclusive, accessible, and early hearing care services for children. In alignment with the global theme “From communities to classrooms: hearing care for all children” and the call to action “Act now so no child is left behind due to ear or hearing problems,” a series of screening camps, training programs, and awareness activities were conducted. The AIISH WHD initiatives reached over 45,000 individuals through a combination of screening services, orientation, capacity-building, and community outreach.
Under its community outreach initiatives, PrAYAAS and SAARTHI, the flagship programs of the AIISH, Mysuru, efforts were strengthened in the adopted districts of Mysuru and Chamarajanagara, Karnataka, in collaboration with the respective District Administrations. These initiatives focus on providing services to children up to 10 years of age, including Anganwadi beneficiaries, and align with national programs such as the School Health & Wellness Program, RBSK, and NPPCD.
1. Orientation and Capacity Building: A major focus was on training grassroots-level service providers. Under the SAARTHI program, 1,084 participants (515 school teachers, 518 Anganwadi workers, and 51 Anganwadi in-charges) were trained in early identification of hearing and communication disorders. The training covered developmental milestones, red flags, preventive strategies, the use of structured screening tools, and referral pathways. In addition, around 100 individuals were oriented during a community camp in collaboration with Seva Bharathi Karnataka on safe listening practices and the effects of mobile phone use. A further 150 members of the public were sensitized during the Nudi Habba program regarding available services and consultation pathways.
2. Screening and Diagnostic Activities: Screening was conducted across multiple platforms to ensure wide coverage. Under PrAYAAS camps in Chamarajanagara district, 1,088 children (0–6 years) were screened across 8 camps. Under the SAARTHI initiative, 17,273 Anganwadi and primary school children were screened by trained teachers across Mysuru district. Of these, 324 children identified as at-risk underwent further screening by Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists, with the program continuing to expand. Additional outreach included screening of 190 college students, 48 members of the public, and 95 industrial workers for hearing-related concerns.
3. Rehabilitation and Follow-up: All individuals identified during screening were provided counseling on available services, preventive strategies, and the importance of early intervention. A total of 461 children identified with hearing or speech-language disorders under the PRAYAAS program are scheduled to, or have already started, receiving ongoing therapy and rehabilitation services at the respective taluk hospitals in Chamarajanagara district, ensuring continuity of care.
4. Community Outreach and Social Media Awareness: Nationwide commemoration was undertaken in collaboration with partner institutions such as KIMS, Hubballi; CHC Chungathara, Kerala; GIMS, Ambikapur; MGMC, Indore; and AIIMS, Jodhpur, through which approximately 900 individuals were screened and/or reached. World Hearing Day messages were disseminated through multiple social media platforms in various languages, reaching over 3,589 viewers. Additionally, special NSS survey in the underserved areas of Chamarajanagara district covered 27 villages, visited 3,584 households, and surveyed 15,695 individuals to assess awareness and identify unmet needs. Policy-level engagement was a key highlight, with active participation from District Administration officials and Ministers in implementing PrAYAAS and SAARTHI, thereby strengthening institutional support and program visibility.
Through these initiatives, AIISH has reinforced community-based early detection systems and empowered teachers and frontline workers as key stakeholders. The integrated approach ensures a comprehensive model for hearing care delivery, contributing to inclusive child health and education.
Snapshot Summary:
• Individuals trained/oriented: 1,434+
• Individuals reached through screening: 21,439
• Individual enrolled for rehabilitation: 461
• Individuals covered under NSSsurvey: 15,695 (3,584 households across 27 villages)
• Social media reach: 3,589+ viewers
• Total collaborators: 10 government institutions/hospitals/policymakers
Primary site: SEAR- India
Region: SEAR
General Photos
Capacity Building: Teacher and Anganwadi’s training Program
Exchange of MOU for School screening program
Screening of a school children under the SAARTHI initiative
Speech and Hearing Survey in the remote area
Types of Engagement:
Live event: Yes
Screening: Yes
Traditional media: Yes
Social media: Yes
Special needs populations: persons with disabilities (including hearing loss), children and adolescents, older adults, rural or remote population
Met with individual policymaker: Yes
Participation of policy makers: Yes
Participation of influencers: No
WHO technical tool used: Yes
WHO educational and social media used: No