Cultural Programs with Hearing-Impaired Children

According to estimates by the World Health Organization, nearly 6% of the global population around 430 million people — suffer from partial or complete hearing loss. Experts predict that this number may touch 700 million by 2050.

When a newborn cannot hear from birth, it is called congenital hearing loss, which affects speech and language development. Early detection and timely treatment are crucial. Out of every 1,000 babies born, 3–4 suffer from severe hearing loss, while 6–7 have mild to moderate issues. When hearing loss reaches 90% or more, cochlear implantation becomes the best treatment option. These electronic devices help individuals with profound hearing loss perceive sound.

In India, over one lakh children are born every year with severe hearing impairment. Most of them require cochlear implant surgery to develop normal speech and language skills. However, only 35,000 to 40,000 surgeries have been performed so far in the country. Annually, barely 5,000 children undergo this procedure, meaning only 5% of affected children receive proper treatment. Lack of awareness and financial constraints are the major barriers.

KIMS Hospitals has been providing cochlear implant services under both government and private healthcare schemes, helping many children regain hearing.

Many beneficiaries have already undergone cochlear implantation at KIMS. On Sunday, at the KIMS Cochlear Implant Kids Meet 2025 held in Secunderabad, several such children participated along with their families. After implantation, they have shown remarkable improvement in hearing and speech, much to the joy of their families. Around 80 children performed songs, dances, skits, and storytelling, showcasing their impressive abilities. These performances highlighted how early diagnosis and timely treatment can transform a child’s communication skills.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Bollineni Bhaskar Rao, CMD of KIMS Hospitals, said “Cochlear implant technology has advanced significantly. For almost all kinds of hearing issues, cochlear implantation is the most effective solution. Listening with two ears offers far greater benefits than with one. Today, patients have access to remote mapping and AI-based hearing support. In Auditory Verbal Therapy (AVT), patient involvement is crucial only with consistent cooperation can children regain full hearing and speech abilities. With long-term results being excellent, children can attend regular schools and participate in everyday activities just like others.”

The event was also attended by leading cochlear implantation specialists, including Dr. Jagini Janardhan Rao, Dr. Revuri Mahesh Kumar, Dr. B.A. Asha, Dr. Boddupalli Shivaprasad, Dr. Rayapati Deeksha, Dr. Divya, and several others.