28/9/2019
PUNE:
The
early identification and early intervention is the only answer for hearing loss
problem. Hearing assessment can be done even on a one day old baby. Universal
hearing screening is the only answer to the way forward. Many hospitals in Pune
have started offering this option of an early identification test on new born
babies and this has proven to be very helpful in many cases, said Dr. Kalyani
Mandke, Implanting Surgeon.
While elaborating the current situation of hearing
loss treatment facilities, she said, “Nearly forty to fifty thousand babies are
born every year with hearing loss in our country. One of the major causes of
hearing loss is a genetic factor. Hearing loss is not a disease but it is a
condition, it adversely affects on speech and language development of a child.”
The Disability Census 2011 indicates that there are
26 million individuals with disabilities in the country. The total number of
Deaf and hard of hearing people is around 50 lakhs. Hearing loss is the second
most common disability in the country, comprising of 18.9% of the disabled
population. The prevalence of a congenital hearing loss is 5.6 per 1000 live
births, which is a significantly high number, while advanced countries have
prevalence rate around 1 to 3 per 1000
live births.
Once hearing loss is identified further management
is equally important. Children can be fitted with hearing aids. Hearing aids do
not help all the children hence Cochlear implant is a better alternative
solution which is available in our city. It is a surgical intervention. This
surgery is safe but a delicate surgery, it can be done on as young as one-year
old baby. This technology is available in Pune city.
Dr. Kalyani Mandke further added that hearing loss has an impact on self, family and society. Children with hearing loss have a higher rate of not being enrolled in schools or lagging in academics or having dropped out of the schools after few years of schooling. There is a higher rate of unemployment amongst deaf and hard of hearing people, which certainly affects them financially and socially. If the sensory deficits in babies remain undetected or untreated, they will lead to a significant handicap, ultimately affecting the quality of life.
Although this surgical intervention is an expensive procedure, there are Government schemes like ADIP – Central Government Scheme, Prime minister relief funds, Chief minister relief funds as well as there are philanthropic organizations which support for Cochlear implant sur
Vedant and Shravani Mahajan and Dhanada Vyawhare received Cochlear implants in their early years when they were almost 13 months. Their parents were forward thinking and although they come from very humble backgrounds they were aware of the technological advancements that science had to offer. They approached Dr. Mandke who helped them connect with the funding agencies and got them 100% funding.
Shravani is 14 years old today and underwent the
surgery at 13 months of age. She studies
in Class 8 at Aksharnandan Marathi medium school. She has excellent speech and
language outcomes. She is a good dancer and presently perusing her formal
Kathak dance training from Roopak dance academy She is a foodie and missal pav
is her favourite dish.
Dhanada is 9 years old and has excellent speech and
language outcomes. She was operated at
age of 15 months and speaks Marathi, English and Hindi. She loves to dance and has performed many a
time at school and social gatherings.
She is fond of drawing, painting and craft. Both her parents Neha and Nikhil have hearing
loss. Though Neha herself is deaf, but
wanted her child to be get opportunities as normal child.
20 year old Vedant is presently helping his father
in his business. Vedant was operated at
9 years of age and yet has better speech and language outcomes. He is badminton
player and is excellent in making miniature paintings.
All the children are studying in regular schools and
leading a normal life and they have been mainstreamed very successfully, which
shows how early intervention can make a hearing condition a thing of the past
and help lead a normal life with a successful future!
Surgery is the first step for their rehabilitation which is followed by effective speech and language training is the key for their success. Language is a learnt behavior. Their family members and teachers have worked hard to bring sunshine in the lives of these three individuals.
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