Mysuru:  As part of ‘World Hearing Day’ (Mar. 3), Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha distributed free hearing aids to about 70 beneficiaries at a programme held at All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH) at Manasagangothri here this morning.

Speaking on the occasion, Pratap Simha said that AIISH is meaningfully and purposefully observing World Hearing Day by conducting various community-oriented programmes.

Lauding AIISH Director Dr. M. Pushpavathi for taking initiatives to conduct such programmes, he said that the Union Government was committed to eliminate hearing disorders just like Polio.

Pointing out that Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan on Mar.3 inaugurated six Outreach Service Centres across the country to expand services of AIISH both in terms of diagnostics and therapeutics, Simha called for establishment of such centres in all 720 districts of the country so as to cover the entire population.

Stressing on the need for early detection of hearing and communication disorders, especially among kids, he advised the parents to get their child compulsorily tested for hearing before one year of birth, as it will largely help in successful treatment of problematic cases.

Asking the AIISH to frame a policy to make testing of hearing capabilities  mandatory for children within one year of their birth, he said that school children must be screened for any hearing or communication disorders.

Pointing out that disabled persons need encouragement from the society, he lauded AIISH for all its initiatives for treating hearing disorders.

AIISH Director Dr. Pushpavathi said that as suggested by the MP, the AIISH will start work on framing a mandatory testing policy for hearing and communication disorders for early detection of such disorders among children.

She highlighted the treatment and therapeutics available at the Institute for hearing impaired of all ages and sections of the society. She further said that today’s event was a symbolic one and the Institute has distributed hearing aids to more than 500 needy individuals from all sections of the society over the last one month during both within and outside campus events.

The beneficiaries who were distributed hearing aids today were from Mysuru, Mandya, Chamarajanagar and Kodagu districts. AIISH faculty members Dr. M. Sandeep, Dr. Praveen Kumar, Dr. Manohar and others were present.