Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 17 July 2025
A special Awareness and Empowerment session on hearing aids was organized on 16th July 2025 at Government Secondary School, Junglighat, for Children with Special Needs (CwSN) and their parents. The program, held under the guidance of the Director of Education, followed a hybrid format, combining virtual interaction with offline assessments.
Dr. Ravi Kapoor, an eminent Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathologist from Government Medical College Hospital, Sector 32, Chandigarh, joined the session virtually. Drawing from his extensive clinical, research, and teaching experience, Dr. Kapoor shared valuable insights into various types of hearing loss, along with practical guidance on the correct usage and maintenance of hearing aids.
Simultaneously, on-ground screening was carried out by Ms. Sakshi Baidya, Speech Therapist, who examined each child for speech and hearing issues and assessed the functionality and fitting of their hearing aids. Working in close coordination with the Directorate of Education, Ms. Baidya also provided personalized feedback and support during the session.
A total of 18 children with hearing impairments from South Andaman and Wimberlygunj Zone participated in the programme. Each child received an individual hearing aid check and underwent a speech-language assessment as part of the offline session.
The session marked a heartwarming milestone when one child, who had never used a hearing aid before, responded for the first time after being fitted and tested during the event. The breakthrough moment brought joy to the child’s parents and educators, demonstrating the life-changing impact of timely intervention.
To further assist parents and Special Educators, Ms. Baidya conducted a live demonstration on the correct method of fitting and using hearing aids, making it easier for caregivers to ensure proper daily usage.
The Director of Education appreciated the collaborative efforts of the medical and education teams and highlighted the importance of such initiatives in empowering every child with the right tools and support.
