I Hear Foundation

I Hear Foundation provides early intervention services for individuals with hearing loss to support speech and language development. It follows the 1-3-6 protocol, ensuring screening by one month, diagnosis by three months, and intervention by six months. Hearing aids, fitted based on auditory tests, assist children and adults in improving hearing, though they do not stop deterioration. Cochlear implants, recommended for severe cases, replace damaged cochlear functions and transmit signals to the auditory nerve. Implant candidacy depends on factors like hearing history and medical conditions. Early intervention maximises benefits, enhancing communication and overall quality of life.

I Hear Foundation ensures effective cochlear implant functioning through a process called mapping, where an audiologist adjusts the device to help users perceive a range of sounds comfortably. The first mapping session, known as "switch-on," initiates this process, which continues at regular intervals to maintain clarity. Since the implant compresses sounds into a limited range, adjustments are essential for optimal hearing. Over time, changes in tissue or user adaptation may weaken the map, making sounds less distinct. Regular follow-ups with audiologists help refine the settings, ensuring recipients benefit fully from their implants and maintain clear auditory perception.

I Hear Foundation conducts habilitation sessions to help cochlear implant recipients develop speech and language skills by recognising sounds and intonations. This process begins before surgery, continues post-operatively, and is led by trained auditory verbal therapists. Regular habilitation is crucial for successful outcomes, with active participation from both patients and their families improving progress. Parents receive guidance on supporting their child's auditory training at home. For convenience, patients are encouraged to return to their primary audiologists and speech therapists for post-surgery habilitation, reducing the need for extended stays in Mumbai. The organisation also assists in locating nearby habilitation and mapping centres.

I Hear Foundation focuses on early diagnosis and intervention for hearing loss, which can occur at birth or later in life. It emphasises newborn hearing screening using Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) and Automated ABR tests to identify potential hearing issues before hospital discharge. The Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH) recommends screening by one month, diagnosis by three months, and intervention by six months to support speech and language development. Follow-up testing is advised for infants with risk factors like infections or genetic predisposition. Older children and adults may experience gradual or sudden hearing loss due to various causes, requiring audiological assessments such as pure tone audiometry, BERA, and behavioural audiometry. Early detection and intervention help individuals maintain communication abilities and improve their quality of life.