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Implementation of National Infant Screening for Hearing Program in India: Challenges, Opportunities and Suggested Framework

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Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Hearing impairment is most frequent sensory deficit present in infants at birth and unaddressed hearing impairment causes severe damages to both infants and their families. In India 77,756 live children are born per day which accounts for about 25 million children annually among them approximately 1.5 lacs (@ 6 per1000) children born with hearing impairment. These children have no prospects of early identification & intervention. As a result, majority of these children suffers from oral communication difficulties, poor academic performance, reduced psychosocial & cognitive development, socioeconomic insufficiency, deprived vocational opportunities & employability. However, consequences of hearing impairment are ameliorable if timely hearing screening and effective intervention strategies are instituted. Unfortunately, India has not yet envisaged any dedicated early identification and intervention program for children with hearing impairment. However, there are ample of opportunities for implementing such program. Hence, this paper endeavours to address the necessity to plan and to implement the early identification of hearing impairment by discussing burden of disorder, suggesting means to overcome the challenges and to explore and emphasize the opportunities of purposeful utilization of available infrastructure and resources. This paper also intends to suggest a conceptual framework for planning and implementing of National Infant Screening for Hearing Program to deal with serious consequences of hearing impairment in India.

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Abbreviations

PWDs:

Persons with disabilities

UK:

United Kingdom

UNHS:

Universal newborn hearing screening

WHO:

World Health Organization

LMICs:

Low-and-middle-income

SRS:

Sample registration survey

IQ:

Intelligence quotient

RPWD Act-2016:

Right to persons with disabilities Act-2016

RBSK-2013:

Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram-2013

NRHM:

National rural health mission

AYJNISHD (D):

Ali Yavar Jung National Institute of Speech & Hearing Disabilities (Divyangjan)

AOI-HNS:

Association of Otolaryngology of India-Head Neck Surgery

IAP:

Indian Association of Pediatrics

MOH&FW:

Ministry of health & family welfare

MHRD:

Ministry of human resource development

REDCROSS:

Red cross society

UNICEF:

United Nation children’s educational fund

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Acknowledgements

I submit my sincere thanks all individual with hearing impairment & deafness who influenced my thoughts for writing the article.

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No external funding—self financed.

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  1. AYJNIHSD (D), K.C. Marg, Bandra (W), Mumbai, 400050, India

    Mohammad Shamim Ansari

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  1. Mohammad Shamim Ansari
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Ansari, M.S. Implementation of National Infant Screening for Hearing Program in India: Challenges, Opportunities and Suggested Framework. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 74 (Suppl 3), 4150–4158 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-021-02873-6

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