BLINDNESS SEPARATES PEOPLE FROM THINGS.
DEAFNESS SEPARATES PEOPLE FROM PEOPLE.
GIFT A EAR PROJECT
This project sought to raise financial assistance for Cochlear Implant and BAHA surgeries for patients with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss. Without financial aid, The state-of-the-art Cochlear surgery would be beyond the reach of the common man.
This Project is aimed at identifying donors who are willing to partially or completely sponsor the cost of the implant or surgery or hearing aids and help SAHI take care of these children. The rest of the finances will be bridged through funds raised from SAHI members and other donor agencies. SAHI regularly updates sponsors regarding the development and the progress of the children that benefitted from their support.
DEAF FREE TELANGANA
In 2015, SAHI initiated an ambitious programme called ‘Deaf Free Telangana’ by adopting Chevella parliamentary constituency with the aim of making it a ‘deaf free zone’ in the next few years. The project includes intensive public awareness programmes, regular camps for children below the age of 15, distribution of hearing aids and providing free corrective surgical procedures for the hearing impaired.
FOSTER PARENTS PROGRAMME
Under this initiative, an individual or a group of individuals adopt a potential cochlear implantee and become his/her foster parents.
Foster parents keep in regular touch with the implantee and monitor the progress with regard to Auditory Verbal Therapy and development of speech and language for at least the two years after the surgery. They have the privilege of being a part of the “switch-on” moment which happens three weeks after the surgery. The switch – on is when the child hears sound for the first time, and is doubtless the best and most rewarding part of the entire process.
THE HEARING GIRL CHILD INITIATIVE
In India, a hearing impaired girl is in greater danger of facing abuse both physically and mentally. Also, historically Girls are given lower priority over boys for any services. The prohibitive cost of treatment often forces parents to make a choice when they have more than one child requiring treatment- they most often prefer their sons rather than daughters. Thirdly, a hearing and speech impaired Indian girl is in greater danger of remaining unemployed or unmarried.
Helping a hearing impaired girl child through Cochlear Implant Surgery will help her evolve into a respectable citizen. She will be able to take care of herself and strive to achieve her dreams and ambitions. Let us give these girl children the gift of hearing and see them transform the world!
YOUTH WING
If you like our work and wish to join hands with us, we have an opportunity for you. You don’t need to have a medical background. We welcome anyone who is interested and has a vision and desire to help alleviate some of the issues our society faces. SAHI Youth Wing, a new programme initiated to incorporates young, socially conscious volunteers to offer their contribution in analysing data, event management, program evaluation and execution of new ideas that will lead to a better hearing society.