Chennai hearing-health conference focuses on access and inclusion

The 16th Coalition for Global Hearing Health conference is taking place in Chennai. Its programme at Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research covers early detection, rehabilitation and affordable technology.

The meeting brings together clinicians, researchers, advocates and people with hearing loss under the theme “Fostering Inclusiveness, Changing Mindsets”. Organisers and the British Society of Audiology confirm the October 9–11 dates.

The Hindu reported that Tamil Nadu Health Secretary Darez Ahamed attended the opening, alongside World Health Organization ear and hearing care technical lead Shelly Chadha.

Programme topics include screening throughout life, community services, health-system organisation and the economics of care. Affordable technologies and clinical approaches are also on the agenda.

The Hindu cited an estimate of 1.25 lakh to 1.5 lakh children born annually with hearing loss in India, equivalent to roughly 125,000–150,000. Its report also highlighted uneven access to rehabilitation, with speech and auditory-verbal therapy concentrated in cities and sign-language education underfunded.

Workshops on October 9 preceded the main October 10–11 conference sessions. Announced workshop areas include rehabilitation, family involvement and addressing stigma.