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Challenges and Solutions in Implementing Hearing Screening Program in India
Abhiruchi Galhotra1, Preeti Sahu2
1Department of CFM, AIIMS, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India.
Insights
Early hearing loss identification in newborns is crucial for child development. In India, despite government programs, challenges like resource shortages hinder widespread newborn hearing screening.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Hearing is vital for children's language acquisition, academic success, and social interaction.
- Hearing loss is categorized by degree (mild to profound) based on audiometric evaluations.
- Early detection and intervention are critical for managing childhood hearing impairment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the importance of universal newborn hearing screening.
- To identify challenges in implementing nationwide hearing screening programs in India.
- To acknowledge government initiatives for hearing impairment prevention and control.
Main Methods:
- The study reviews the current status and challenges of newborn hearing screening in India.
- It examines existing government programs aimed at preventing and controlling hearing impairment.
- Analysis focuses on implementation barriers such as resource limitations and infrastructure deficits.
Main Results:
- Hearing screening facilities in India are primarily concentrated in tertiary hospitals.
- Key implementation barriers include shortages in human resources, inadequate infrastructure, and equipment issues.
- Low priority assigned to hearing impairment prevention is a significant obstacle.
Conclusions:
- Universal newborn hearing screening is essential for early identification and intervention.
- Addressing resource and infrastructure challenges is vital for successful program implementation.
- Government programs represent significant steps toward systematic nationwide hearing screening.
Abstract:
Hearing is the key to learning spoken language, performing academically, and engaging socially for children. Degree of hearing loss quantifies the hearing ability from mild to profound, based on the audiometric findings for an individual across certain frequencies or pitches. Early identification and appropriate intervention is the prime need. A probable strategy is to ensure that every newborn is screened for possible hearing loss at the birth in the hospital. In India, hearing screening facility is mostly available to newborns brought into tertiary hospitals. Some of the key issues in the implementation of the program identified are lack of human resources, inadequate infrastructure, equipment-related shortcomings, and low priority for hearing impairment (HI) prevention. The Government of India initiated efforts toward prevention and control of HI, i.e., National Program for Prevention and Control of deafness and Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram which are significant milestones in the implementation of systematic nationwide hearing screening programs.
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