Cochlea Pune for Hearing and Speech

This programme focuses on supporting deaf infants who are unable to hear sounds. During the crucial early years of development, which is particularly important for brain growth, children acquire various skills such as expression, creativity, and vocabulary. The programme aims to provide guidance and counselling to parents of newly identified hearing-impaired children, helping them accept the situation and understand the benefits of early intervention and the use of hearing aids. Parental dedication is stressed for the child's holistic development.

The Parent-Infant Programme offered by Cochlea Pune for Hearing and Speech caters to babies aged 1 to 3 years. This programme aims to introduce sound and speech to babies by providing training in the presence of their mothers. By involving the mothers in the training process, they can actively contribute to the development of their baby's speaking abilities throughout the day. Recognizing that their mothers, grandmothers, or both parents at home typically accompany babies outside, the programme emphasizes the importance of early teaching to encourage continuous sound production. Additionally, the programme provides parents with valuable guidance on effective teaching methods and essential do's and don'ts to ensure optimal learning and development for their child.

Cochlea Pune for Hearing and Speech has introduced a Parent Training Programme with the aim of supporting mothers of hearing-impaired (HI) children. Launched in December 2008 and concluded in April 2009, this initiative acknowledges the vital role of the mother as the child's primary mentor and teacher. The programme extends its reach to rural areas within Pune district, where parents whose children were identified through local camps are encouraged to participate. By providing training and equipping them with essential skills, the programme aims to empower parents to establish training centres in their own villages. As a token of appreciation for regular attendance, participants receive travel expense reimbursements and a monthly incentive of Rs 500. The programme's success is evident in the increased willingness of parents to enrol and pay fees for the training, reflecting their enthusiasm to actively engage in their child's educational journey.

Cochlea Pune for Hearing and Speech offers diploma courses for teaching hearing-impaired children: DECSE(Diploma in Early Childhood Special Education) for 1 year and DHLS(Diploma in Hearing, Language and Speech) for 1 year. Subjects include curriculum, language, psychology, audiology, and education. Job prospects include ZP, preschools, private tutoring, and NGOs. They also conduct a Parent Training Programme on curriculum, language, psychology, audiology, and education.

Cochlea Pune for Hearing and Speech organises camps to address the lack of awareness and support for hearing-impaired children, particularly in remote rural areas with limited resources. These camps provide comprehensive evaluations by ENT doctors, including audiometry tests and hearing aid trials, for babies born with hearing loss. Parents receive counselling and guidance to navigate their child's development. Follow-up sessions ensure adherence to the provided guidelines. Recent camps have been held in Dapoli (Ratnagiri) and Dicholi and Panaji (Goa), resulting in the identification of hearing-impaired children in Dapoli who are now receiving regular therapy at a dedicated facility provided by Brahman Hitavardhini Patpedhi, Dapoli.