For a child who cannot hear clearly, communication is not simply about sound. It is about learning, expression, connection and being able to participate fully in everyday life.
Recognising this, RehabNation Healthcare Foundation of India, in collaboration with Abhedananda Home (Social Welfare Department), Higher Secondary School for Hearing Impaired, and the Department of ENT, Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar, organised a specialised hearing and speech screening programme for students at Abhedananda Home, Srinagar.
95 students screened
A total of 95 students with hearing and speech disabilities were screened by the ENT team from GMC Srinagar, led by Dr. Jasif Ahmed.
The programme provided students with access to specialised ENT assessment within their own educational environment—making healthcare more accessible and comfortable for them. During the screening, two students were advised referral for further evaluation.
While these numbers may appear small, every identified concern matters. For a student with hearing impairment, timely assessment can help determine whether additional medical, audiological, speech or rehabilitation support may be beneficial.
Hearing is more than sound
For deaf and hard-of-hearing students, access to communication plays an important role in education and social participation.
Depending on the individual, support may include hearing assessment, hearing technology, speech and language services, sign language, assistive communication or other educational and rehabilitation interventions.
There is no single approach that fits every student. What matters is understanding the individual needs of each child and ensuring that appropriate support is available.
Bringing specialised care closer
Specialised healthcare can sometimes be difficult to access, particularly for children with disabilities.
Conducting screening within a school setting helps bring professionals closer to the students and creates an opportunity for early identification and referral.
More importantly, such initiatives remind us that children with disabilities should not have to overcome unnecessary barriers to receive quality healthcare.
A shared commitment to inclusion
RehabNation sincerely appreciates the support of GMC Srinagar and the ENT team led by Dr. Jasif Ahmed and his team for conducting the screening and sharing their expertise.
We are equally grateful to Dr. Mudasir Ahmed, Principal, Abhedananda Home, and the school team for facilitating the programme and supporting the students throughout the initiative.
This collaboration reflects what can be achieved when healthcare, education and rehabilitation come together around the needs of children.
Every student deserves to be heard
For a deaf or hard-of-hearing child, being heard can mean much more than hearing a sound.
It can mean being understood.
It can mean having access to education.
It can mean communicating with confidence.
And it can mean having the opportunity to participate on an equal basis.
At RehabNation, we remain committed to promoting accessible and inclusive healthcare and rehabilitation, ensuring that children with disabilities are not left behind.
Because inclusion begins when we listen—not only with our ears, but with understanding.
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