Strengthening Early Hearing Detection and Intervention for Newborns Across Eastern India
Kolkata : Neotia Bhagirathi Woman and Child Care Centre has launched a state-of-the-art Hearing Loss & Cochlear Implant (CI) Clinic at its Paediatric Multispecialty Hospital in New Town, marking a significant step forward in early hearing detection and intervention for newborns and children across Eastern India.
Addressing Congenital Hearing Loss at the Right Time
Congenital hearing impairment is among the most common sensory conditions identified in neonates. Since it can only be diagnosed after birth through structured screening protocols, early detection plays a critical role in ensuring timely treatment.
Recognising this urgency, the hospital has aligned its services with the globally recommended “1-3-6” Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) protocol, which ensures:
- Screening by 1 month of age
- Diagnostic confirmation by 3 months (for those who do not pass screening)
- Intervention by 6 months
This structured timeline significantly reduces delays in neonatal cochlear implantation and early therapeutic intervention.
Building on a Strong Preventive Care Framework
The initiative expands upon the hospital’s preventive healthcare model, under which mandatory neonatal hearing and vision screening is conducted for all newborns delivered at the facility.
The newly launched clinic ensures:
- Comprehensive hearing evaluation
- Timely diagnosis within the optimal 1–6 month window
- Early intervention planning
- Seamless treatment coordination
By intervening within this critical developmental phase, the hospital aims to prevent long-term speech and language delays.
Why Early Intervention Matters
Untreated hearing loss during early infancy can significantly impact:
- Speech development
- Language acquisition
- Cognitive growth
- School readiness
Delayed auditory stimulation may result in irreversible cortical auditory deprivation, making early management essential.
For children with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss who derive limited benefit from hearing aids, cochlear implantation remains the most effective rehabilitative solution.
Multidisciplinary, End-to-End Care Under One Roof
The Hearing Loss & Cochlear Implant Clinic offers a comprehensive care pathway, including:
- Neonatology support
- Paediatric audiology
- Advanced diagnostic imaging
- Surgical intervention
- Auditory-Verbal Therapy (AVT)
- Long-term rehabilitation and follow-up
This integrated model ensures continuity of care and better rehabilitation outcomes.
Leadership Speak
Dr. Indrani Subramanian, Facility Director, said:
“The launch of our dedicated Hearing Loss & Cochlear Implant Clinic reflects our commitment to strengthening essential specialties such as ENT. Through a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach, each child is comprehensively evaluated to determine the most appropriate treatment—ensuring transparency, precision, and patient-centric care.”
Dr. Sanchari Nandi, Consultant ENT Surgeon, added:
“Early detection and intervention are key to achieving optimal speech and developmental outcomes. A structured pathway—from screening and hearing aid trials to imaging, surgery, and long-term Auditory Verbal Therapy (AVT)—significantly improves rehabilitation success in children with hearing impairment.”
A Step Forward in Child-Centric Healthcare
With this launch, Neotia Bhagirathi Woman and Child Care Centre further reinforces its commitment to comprehensive, child-focused healthcare—supporting improved speech, language, and overall developmental outcomes from birth onward.
The initiative represents a major advancement in paediatric specialty services in Eastern India, ensuring that children with hearing impairment receive timely, evidence-based, and holistic care.
