‘Early Identification of Hearing Loss and Speech Delay’ Training Programme
Aligarh : Medical officers of the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) enhanced knowledge and skills on strategies to screen infants for possible hearing loss in the training programme, ‘Early Identification of Hearing Loss and Speech Delay’ of the District Early Intervention Centre and Centre of Excellence (DEIC-COE), Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC), Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).
Prof Tabassum Shahab (Honorary Advisor, DEIC-COE) discussed the importance of early identification of hearing loss and its implications in the context of human development.
He said, “Early identification of hearing loss is critical, not just for communication purposes, but for a child to reach maximum human development and self-actualization”.
“Hearing is the key to learning spoken language and engaging socially for children and its loss poses an obstacle to their integration. It can have profound effects not only on interpersonal communication but also on health, independence, well-being, quality of life, and daily function. It is imperative that hospitals across the Country get health workers specially trained to identify hearing and speech problems in new born children”, said Prof M U Rabbani (Acting Principal, JNMC).
Prof Haris M Khan (Medical Superintendent, JNMC) pointed out: “Several studies have shown that infants who receive intervention before the age of six months have better school outcomes, improved language, and communication skills by ages 2–5 years”.
Prof M U Rabbani and Prof Haris M Khan distributed certificates to the participants.
“There is an urgent need for global multidisciplinary and collaborative efforts to address the health needs of the children with hearing and speech loss”, pressed Prof Kamran Afzal (Chairman, Department of Pediatrics and Convener, DEIC-COE) while presenting a statistical presentation of children with Congenital Deafness registered in DEIC with M Anwar Siddiqui (DEIC Manager).
Prof Syed Manazir Ali (Department of Pediatrics) and Dr Aftab Ahmed (Department of ENT) spoke about the ideal time for hearing screening, available screening techniques and challenges to early detection and intervention of hearing impairment.
Dr Aftab Ahmed also discussed the history of Cochlear Implant Surgery and speech therapy.
The demand for more audiologists and audiometricians and audiological evaluation facilities in hospitals all over the world is increasing every passing day, stressed Dr Uzma Firdaus (Nodal Officer, DEIC-COE).
Dr Firdos Jahan (Clinical Psychologist) talked about importance of I.Q assessment before Cochlear Implant in Children and Bibha Kumari (Audiologist Cum Speech Therapist, DEIC-COE) spoke on anatomy and physiology of ear, hearing screening and identification of hearing loss in children.