Under the cochlear implant scheme of the state government, 115 children were operated this year. Health and Medical Education Minister Dr. K. Sudhakar said that ear and hearing care has been given priority through such measures.

World Hearing Day is celebrated on 3rd March every year and this year the theme is “Ear and hearing care for all, let’s make it a reality”. All health workers are being trained in ear care, first aid and screening. Through this, ear care and hearing care are being merged into primary health care services. A cochlear implant scheme has been introduced to address severe hearing loss in children under 6 years of age.  Under this initiative, 115 children have been operated this year and the remaining 577 beneficiaries are at various states of preparation for cochlear surgery, minister informed.

According to the World Health Organization, 430 million people worldwide suffer from hearing loss. By 2050, this number is expected to cross 700 million. The National Hearing Loss Control and Prevention Program was implemented in the state in 2008-09 and training for instrumentation and surgery is being imparted in all districts. During the last 5 years, 2,00,305 hearing impaired and 35,418 severely hearing impaired have been identified through NPPCD program. 2,381 children under 5 years have severe hearing loss. 10,213 surgeries for ear problems were done with the help of all ENT specialists in the state. Minister said that 11,857 beneficiaries have been given hearing aids.

On this World Hearing Day, hearing screening camp will be conducted in all districts and treatment will be provided. In children under 6 years of age, those who are suffering from severe hearing defect will be identified and cochlear implant surgery will be performed if required. The minister explained that arrangements will be made to provide hearing aids through the Department of Empowerment of Differently Abled and other organizations.