School-based assessment launched in Mysuru to identify hearing disorders

‘SAARTHI for Communication Disorders’, an initiative of school-based assessment and action for referral, therapy, and rehabilitation to be implemented in Mysuru district of Karnataka, was formally launched on the occasion of World Hearing Day.

To implement this project, the All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH), Mysuru has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the district administration.

The SAARTHI awareness poster was also released, marking the commencement of a comprehensive early detection and intervention programme for speech, language, and hearing disorders among children across the district.

The MoU was signed by Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikanth Reddy and Professor M. Pushpavathi, Director, AIISH, in the presence of Minister in-charge of Mysuru district H. C. Mahadevappa, and senior officials, in Mysuru on March 2.

Dr. Sreedevi, Professor and Head, CPED-D, and Dr. Devi N., Associate Professor and Head, Department of POCD, AIISH, Mysuru, along with the AIISH faculty and project team, were present to extend support to the SAARTHI initiative.

The SAARTHI programme has already completed two key preparatory phases across the district. Under Phase I – Capacity Building of Teachers, a total of 1,030 teachers (518 anganwadi teachers and 512 primary school teachers) from Mysuru North, South, Urban, and Rural blocks were trained between February 17 and 23. The training focused on identifying red flags in communication and developmental disorders, use of standardised digital screening tools, and strengthening referral pathways for empowering teachers as first-level screeners.

The initiative, to be implemented from March 2026 to March 2027, will further establish a structured system for early detection, referral, and intervention of speech, language, and hearing disorders among children aged 3–10 years across the district, covering all anganwadi centres and primary schools.

Under SAARTHI, around 1,700 teachers received capacity-building training at AIISH to conduct classroom-based screening using standardised digital tools, followed by professional screening by AIISH specialists. Children identified as high-risk will undergo detailed diagnostic evaluation and receive appropriate intervention at AIISH, according to the project.

Under Phase II – Classroom-Based Screening by Teachers, trained teachers screened 13,916 children, including 5,057 children (3–6 years) in anganwadis and 8,859 children (6–10 years) in primary schools. The overall referral rates were maintained below 8% (7.87% for anganwadi children and 6.22% for primary school children), demonstrating effective early identification without over-referral, and establishing a strong foundation for subsequent professional screening and intervention.

The initiative focuses on inter-departmental collaboration, community engagement, and sustainable follow-up systems to ensure early identification and intervention for children with communication disorders, while also generating district-level data to inform future policy and service planning.

The Deputy Commissioner said that early detection reduces long-term disability, and improves educational and social outcomes.

The Director, AIISH reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to providing scientific expertise and technical support to strengthen district-level child health and developmental services.