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Organization: Meenakshi Venkatraman Foundation
Title: UNBHS, Early Identification, Rehabilitation, Gifting of Hearing Aids, Awareness on Safe Listening, Speech Language Training for Children with HI
Alternate tite:
Unbhs, early identification, rehabilitation, gifting of hearing aids, awareness on safe listening, speech language training for children with HI
Description:
On the occasion of World Hearing Day 2025, MVF organized a major event at the GMC Alumni Medical Education Society Auditorium, Gandhi Medical College Campus, Secunderabad, reflecting the global theme: “Changing mindsets: Empower yourself to make ear and hearing care a reality for all!” The celebration brought together health officials, professionals, families, and the broader community to raise awareness and promote inclusive hearing care.
Sri R. V. Karnan, IAS, Commissioner, Health & Family Welfare and Mission Director (National Health Mission), attended as Chief Guest. He underscored the importance of early identification and timely intervention in preventing lifelong barriers for children with hearing loss.
A major highlight of the event was the Gifting of Digital Hearing Aids to children from underprivileged rural backgrounds across Telangana. We donated 25 hearing aids to children as young as 6 to 8 months old. These were carefully programmed to meet each child’s needs and fitted with soft molds for improved sound delivery. Prior to selection, we conducted rigorous screening camps—our senior audiologist and speech therapist traveled to Adilabad and Karimnagar, where around 20 children at each location were screened. Only eligible children were shortlisted to receive the aids.
MVF also conducted a large-scale hearing screening of 1000 children at Gandhi Hospital, identifying many who required further intervention or follow-up support.
As part of the broader outreach for World Hearing Day, MVF staff actively engaged with the community throughout January and February 2025, visiting 108 Anganwadi Centres and 72 Primary Health Centres in and around Hyderabad. These visits focused on awareness creation and counseling Anganwadi workers on early signs of hearing loss, ear hygiene, and safe listening practices, thereby strengthening the foundation for early detection in the community.
During the main event, MVF Managing Trustee Sri Sethuraman made an appeal to extend the age limit for free Cochlear Implant surgeries under the Aarogyasri scheme from 3 to 5 years. Responding with immediate action, the Chief Guest issued instructions to implement the change—an impactful decision expected to benefit many more children.
Awareness posters developed in-house were officially released during the event and will be displayed across Anganwadi Centres, public hospitals, and PHCs, spreading messages on hearing care and prevention.
Sri Sethuraman highlighted the need to break social barriers and misconceptions surrounding hearing loss and to strengthen efforts toward inclusive education and rehabilitation.
The event received extensive media coverage across leading newspapers, further spreading the message of hearing health.
Primary site: SEAR- India
Impactful Story:
MVF celebrated World Hearing Day 2025 by gifting digital hearing aids to 25 underprivileged children aged 6–8 months after thorough screenings in Adilabad, Karimnagar, and Gandhi Hospital. Outreach efforts covered 108 Anganwadi Centres and 72 PHCs to spread awareness on hearing care. Awareness posters were released for statewide display. A major policy breakthrough was achieved—extension of cochlear implant age limit under Aarogyasri to 5 years, inclusion of both ears in the scheme, and appointment of audiologists in district hospitals. Media widely covered the event, highlighting MVF’s commitment to early intervention and inclusion of children with hearing loss.
General Photos
A 6-month-old child receives a digital hearing aid
A baby aged 8 months gifted with a hearing aid
Chief Guest and dignitaries release World Hearing Day poster
Leading newspapers cover MVF’s impactful celebrations
Types of Engagement:
Screening: Yes
Traditional media: Yes
Social media: Yes
Special needs populations:
Participation of policy makers: Yes
Participation of influencers: Yes