Mysuru: The Office of District Health Officer (DHO), Mysuru, in collaboration with All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH), Mysuru, conducted a one-day orientation programme for Community Health Officers (CHOs) of the district on early identification of speech and hearing disorders.

The programme was conducted as part of the commemoration of World Hearing Day 2025 and coordinated by the Department of Prevention of Communication Disorders (POCD), AIISH.

The programme commenced with a welcome address by Dr. M.  Sandeep, Professor of Audiology and HoD-POCD, AIISH, Mysuru.

In his address, Dr. Sandeep highlighted the joint venture between AIISH and the DHO, emphasising the importance of empowering CHOs in the early identification of hearing loss.

He elaborated on the high burden of hearing disability in India and stressed the need for early intervention, particularly in the Indian context, where timely diagnosis and management can significantly improve quality of life.

Prof. M. Pushpavathi, Director, AIISH, delivered the presidential address, underscoring AIISH’s global leadership in speech and hearing sciences.

She detailed the various facilities available at AIISH for assessment and management of persons with disabilities and emphasised AIISH’s commitment to collaborating with the district health office to develop and implement effective community-based health delivery models.

She assured that AIISH is ready to contribute to the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Deafness (NPPCD) by developing early intervention frameworks at the grassroots level.

Dr. S. Gopinath, District Family Welfare Officer, Mysuru, spoke about the importance of promoting speech and hearing disorder identification in Mysuru.

He expressed his keen interest in collaborating with AIISH to develop an early identification and intervention model that could be implemented nationwide.

He encouraged CHOs to actively participate in the training sessions to enhance their skills and contribute effectively to community health initiatives.

Dr. Shiraz Ahmed, District Reproductive and Child Health Officer and Dr. Nagaraj, District Surveillance Officer, shared valuable insights on the significance of early screening and intervention of persons with hearing loss.