Challenge
The Indian state of Andhra Pradesh is located in southeastern India with approximately 49 million inhabitants. The healthcare system in Andhra Pradesh has made significant progress in recent years. The government operates an extensive network of public hospitals and health centers, supplemented by mobile medical units that primarily serve rural areas.
Hearing care for children in Andhra Pradesh varies regionally In urban centers, specialized facilities and early hearing screening programs are available in major hospitals and health centers. Infants and school children are regularly screened for hearing loss in these areas. However, in rural areas, access to specialized audiological services is often limited, and hearing aids are unaffordable for low-income families. The goal is to ensure early diagnosis and adequate care for these children, helping them thrive both in school and in society.
How we help
This project supports the entire continuum of care, with a focus on early interventions through hearing screenings, hearing aid fittings, and regular follow-up care. A special focus is on girls, who are often disadvantaged in India. The project is managed in Hyderabad by ten staff members and six volunteers.
- Awareness camps are conducted in rural areas and children are screened for hearing loss
- Children with hearing loss receive fitted hearing aids and speech therapy
- Our partner works with the Ministry of Health to establish newborn hearing screenings as a standard across Andhra Pradesh
- Training programs for the continuing education of audiologists and speech therapists.
Our Partner
Society to Aid the Hearing Impaired (SAHI) was founded in 2004 as a non-profit organization by doctors, audiologists, rehabilitation specialists, and social workers to support Indian children with hearing loss.