Deaf ears cannot stop hearts that hearken to hope

Deaf ears cannot stop hearts that respond to hope. Beethoven, Helen Keller, Thomas Edison, etc. had hearing disabilities, but still changed the world.

Blindness cuts us off from things, and deafness cuts us off from people. - Helen Keller

WHO says 34 million children require hearing rehabilitation.

• By 2050, nearly 2.5 billion people are projected to have hearing loss. At least 700 million will require hearing rehabilitation.

• Over 1 billion young adults risk permanent, avoidable hearing loss due to unsafe listening practices. 2.9 per cent of the population have been affected by hearing loss. Which further affected communication, education, and work.

The 2011 census of India showed the prevalence of self or parent-reported hearing disability in 5–9 and 10–19 year age groups in West Bengal to be 2.4 and 2.7 per 1000, respectively.

"The hearing of all infants should be screened within a month of birth. Those who do not pass screening should undergo a comprehensive audiological assessment no later than three months, and receive appropriate intervention by six months of age." - National Medical Journal Of India.

I reached out to Anwesha Kolkata, a nonprofit working for children with hearing disabilities. Snigdha Sarkar, the President, responded to a few questions on their progress since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ms. Snigdha Sarkar, President, Anwesha Kolkata (Third from right) at the World Hearing Forum planning meeting organized by WHO in Geneva, Switzerland.

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted our lives like never before. How did you overcome the challenges of reaching out to parents and children?

The classes for our children and parents started soon after the lockdown. The twin objective was to ensure that children did not suffer developmental loss. We also extended emotional support to the parents and families during an unprecedented crisis. The children mostly hail from poorer sections of society. Regular classes continued through telecommunication. The process continued until the direction for the opening of institutes was received from the government.

Anwesha Kolkata's team took the following steps to overcome the challenges of reaching out to the parents and children.

Regular Contact: The team was constantly in touch with the parents of children with hearing disabilities. We supported families with essential provisions that were in distress, particularly after the Amphan cyclone.

Mental Support: We supported parents dealing with stress due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and lockdown. A couple of members of Anwesha were dedicated to systematically talking to the parents. Counseling and providing emotional support, guidance, and strength other than regular support to children. Mothers continued to receive advice to take the necessary safety steps for the child and other family members. Consistent communication encouraged them to adapt to the new normal.

Unity: Despite all odds, we stood for each other and instilled the faith that, together, we come out of this crisis.

How are you using digital as a medium to improve your work with children with hearing disabilities and their parents?

Digital helped us improve our work during the emergency period. Families living afar connected with us. For example, a child visiting the center from a far-off place interacts with us once a week before returning the following week. We added value to the intervention support. It wasn't possible before the Pandemic.

1. Whatsapp: Many parents did not have smartphones, so we provided training through telecommunication. For those with smartphones, we conducted classes and parent training through WhatsApp video calls. We also shared teaching-learning materials. The parents sent us videos and worksheets demonstrating how they worked with their children and older school-going children. Parents borrowed smartphones from family members or neighbors to send and receive videos or demos.

2. Facebook: We used Facebook to keep in touch with the children and families. On different occasions throughout the year, parents send photos, pictures, or snapshots of their performances which we collate and publish on Facebook. It encouraged everyone to keep in touch with the families and keep the Anwesha family spirit alive. We organized webinars to create awareness on relevant topics for our parents and well-wishers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Facebook Page helped us connect with our audience, share ongoing issues, and get the desired support for the cause.

3. Google Meet and Zoom: We organized internal and external meetings with the DHH children and their parents, including stakeholders. Many did not have a stable internet connection or afford it. We conducted a few sessions initially to educate our parents on the new tools and features to use the online platforms effectively. We continue to host some sessions with children who live far and find it difficult to attend classes at Anwesha more than once a week. DHH children and young adults actively participated in online cultural and advocacy programs.

As a top nonprofit working in the hearing impaired space in Kolkata, what three wins of the past five years would you love to share?

Based on our experience in the field of hearing disability, we would love to highlight the following:

1. Improved service delivery - Got a better understanding of the social-emotional needs of children and families; addressing the needs of children and families coming from socio-economically difficult situations, distant places, and families whose children may have an additional challenge.

2. We developed a strong network with other disability organizations and govt departments in the state.

3. We increased the reach of Anwesha's activities and existence at the national and international levels.

Note: If you wish to donate to Anwesha Kolkata, please click here.