Hearing plays a key role in communication. Babies acquire language by copying the sounds they hear. A newborn’s normal hearing is crucial not only for learning language and communication skills but also for the overall development of the child’s brain, influencing personality, problem-solving abilities, cognitive functions, interpersonal skills, and even compassion and self-esteem. However, hearing impairment and the resulting delay in global developmental milestones in young children frequently go unrecognized or overlooked, particularly because newborns typically begin speaking around a year of age. If treated promptly, these children can develop similarly to their peers with normal hearing and reach their full potential to make meaningful contributions to society.

Team ENT at C K Birla Hospitals CMRI has been leading the way in treating deafness, particularly in children. However, the biggest obstacle to the proper development of these unfortunate children is still the lack of awareness regarding the problem, its causes, and its consequences, which results not only in delayed diagnosis and treatment but also in missed opportunities.

In response to the need to raise awareness and the critical importance of early detection and treatment of hearing loss, CK Birla Hospitals CMRI, Kolkata, is introducing UJJWOL SHOISHOB, a program focused on pediatric hearing screening and related health services for children aged 0 to 18 years. Although the programme will initially concentrate on hearing health and raising awareness about deafness and delayed speech in children, we aim to expand its scope to cover additional paediatric health and growth issues under UJJWOL SHOISHOB in the future.

The launch of UJJWOL SHOISHOB was graced by Dr. Indranil Khan, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Department of Youth Services and Sports, and Prof.Dr. Arun Singh, Prof. of Neonatology, Institute of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. B. C. Roy Post Graduate Institute of Paediatrics, who established the first Department of Neonatology in the country at IPGMER and SSKM Hospital.

As part of the initiative, CMRI, in collaboration with its partner NGOs, intends to select a district for the program and extend screening and awareness efforts beyond hospital environments. The initiative seeks to serve 5,000 children by 2027, with the goal of educating families and communities to promote early detection and treatment of childhood hearing loss.

The initiative will be carried out in collaboration with organizations such as Mahavir Seva Sadan (MSS), Charm ENT Foundation, SOMID (Society for the Mainstream Integration of the Deaf), and Anwesha (an organization of parents of deaf children).

Priyanka Dutta