Pune: The department of ENT at Command Hospital of Southern Command, Pune celebrated the World Hearing Week at ‘SHRAVAN’, the only Centre for 'Early Intervention and Rehabilitation of Hearing Loss' for the entire Southern Command Zone of Indian Army.

‘SHRAVAN’ is being run as a centre of excellence for providing seamless, organised and effective intervention for the hearing impaired. The centre has rehabilitated over 280 children till date and presently 90 children are undergoing auditory verbal therapy at the centre.

As per the theme for this year 'Hearing care for all', a number of activities were conducted over the last one week keeping COVID restrictions and social distancing norms in mind. A 'Teachers’ Awareness Programme' involving distribution of hand-outs highlighting issues faced by children with hearing impairment in school environments and how to overcome them was undertaken.

An online painting competition was conducted wherein over fifty Cochlear Implant recipient children participated and showcased their talent. The Cochlear Implant team performed Cochlear Implant surgery for two children with Bilateral Congenital Profound Hearing Loss including one with Cochlear Nerve Anomalies during the week.

The centre was also instrumental in provisioning upgraded speech processors, to enhance their hearing & communication skills and intends to change lives of these differently abled children by introducing them to the melody of music, and bringing smiles onto the faces of several parents.