From silence into a world of sound

Of what use is technology if it cannot find answers to serve human needs?

I Hear Foundation is a registered non-profit organization working for individuals with hearing loss, especially those from economically weaker sections. The I Hear Foundation was established in 2002. The new set of trustees has started functioning since 2013 for the trust. Members of the trust have been working in the field of cochlear implants for the last twenty years and have the experience of having treated over 2000 children and adults with cochlear implants.

As per WHO estimates in India, there are approximately 63 million people, who are suffering from Significant Auditory Impairment; this places the estimated prevalence at 6.3% in Indian population. As per a survey conducted by NSSO in 2002, in India, 291 persons per one lakh population suffered from severe to profound hearing loss. The burden of disease in the school going age group in India was estimated to be about 26.4 million.

(Source: www.mohfw.nic.in)

VISION

The Gift of SOUND for everyone.

To ensure that hearing loss does not come in the way of anyone realizing his or her potential and living life to the fullest.

Mission

To close the gap between those who can hear and those with hearing loss. We will reach out with the best of technology, care and passion so people with severe to profound hearing loss can say these two powerful words: “I Hear”.

Objectives

The objective of the trust is to help children and adults with hearing loss, especially those with profound hearing loss; who are beyond the help of a hearing aid. It also has the objective to spread awareness amongst the medical and paramedical community as also the general public about the importance of early diagnosis and intervention in individuals with hearing loss. Early intervention is important because this can restore even a profoundly deaf child to the mainstream of society and make the child capable of hearing, learning language and speech.

  • Creating and spreading awareness and education on hearing loss in India.
  • Promoting screening facilities for early detection of hearing loss in newborns and children.
  • Providing quality intervention and long-term support for treatment of hearing loss.
  • Organizing camps for children and the elderly for early detection of hearing loss.
  • Working with corporates to advance social responsibility and development in terms of awareness, education and training on hearing loss.
  • Conducting workshops for medical and paramedical personnel as well as special educators for early detection and intervention in persons with hearing loss.
  • Providing financial assistance to individuals from economically weaker sections of society, who require intervention in terms of treatment of hearing loss.