Hearing loss is the most common sensory deficit in humans today. NPPCD was launched with a purpose of early identification, diagnosis and treatment of ear problems responsible for hearing loss and deafness in them.

This programme is being implemented by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare with the technical support of Directorate General of Health Services. At the state level the programme is being implemented by the Department of Health & Family Welfare.

VISION

To prevent and control major causes of hearing impairment and deafness, so as to reduce the total disease burden by 25% of the existing burden by the year 2030.

MISSION

  • To develop institutional capacity of the District Hospitals, Community Health Centres and Primary Health Centres selected under the Programme.
  • Decrease in the magnitude of Hearing Impaired persons.
  • Decrease in the severity/extent of ear morbidity or hearing impairment.
  • Improved service network / referral system for the persons with ear morbidity/hearing impairment.
  • Awareness creation among the health workers / grassroots level workers through the Primary Health Centre Medical Officers and District Health Officers, which will percolate to the lower level health workers functioning within the community.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Capacity Building

District Hospital, Community Health Centres and Primary Health Centre in respect of ENT/ Audiology in terms of manpower and infrastructure.
Manpower Training and Development

For prevention, early identification and management of Ear and Hearing Disorders, Hearing Impairment and Deafness, training would be provided from Medical College level Specialists (ENT and Audiology) to grass root level workers.

Service Delivery

Primary Level (CHCs/PHCs/SCs/Primary School Teachers/Health Workers/Panchayath), Secondary Level (District Hospitals) and Tertiary Level (State Medical College)

Service Provision

Early detection, Medical & Surgical treatment, awareness, screening programmes and amplification and rehabilitation of hearing impaired population.

Awareness generation through IEC/BCC activities

Educating public on the effects of hearing loss on Speech, Language, Mental and Social Development of the Child and the importance of early detection of hearing loss as well as the facilities available for the same for removing the stigma in the community associated with deafness.

OBJECTIVES

  • To prevent avoidable hearing loss on account of disease or injury.
  • Early identification, diagnosis and treatment of Ear problems responsible for hearing loss and deafness.
  • To medically rehabilitate persons of all age groups, suffering with Deafness.
  • To strengthen the existing inter-sectoral linkages for continuity of the rehabilitation programme, for persons with Deafness.
  • To develop institutional capacity for Ear Care Services by providing support for equipment, material and training personnel.

STRATEGIES

  • To strengthen the service delivery for Ear Care.
  • To develop human resource for Ear Care Services.
  • To promote public awareness through appropriate and effective IEC strategies with special emphasis on prevention of Deafness.
  • To develop institutional capacity of the District Hospitals, Community Health Centres and Primary Health Centres selected under the Programme.

SCHEMES / INITIATIVES

  1. All 14 Nodal Centres were equipped with Micro Ear Surgery Instruments for performing ear surgeries, Audiometric Equipments for Audiological Assessment / Hearing Assessment and in place with an ENT Surgeon, Audiologist, Audiometric Assistant and Instructor for Hearing Impaired for prevention, early identification and management for Ear and Hearing disorders, Hearing Impairment & Deafness as per guidelines.
  2. As part of extension of ear care services 2 Taluk hospitals (2018-19) and 1 Taluk Hospital (2019-20) in each district were supplied and equipped with Micro Ear Surgery Instruments. These institutions are currently being equipped with an audiology center with audiometer and sound treated cubicle. Audiologists with BASLP qualification are being posted to these centers.
  3. All Taluk Hospitals have equipped and supplied with good quality Pure Tone Audiometer and trained man power.(State Specific Plan)
  4. Every CHCs, PHCs and Taluk Hospitals were supplied with Primary Ear Care Kit and training has already been given to all Medical Officers of CHCs and PHCs so that equipments in the kit provided can be used effectively in identifying ear conditions leading to Deafness and in providing primary ear care.
  5. State NPPCD together with RBSK has being entrusted in laying down the specifications of the programmable Hearing Aid to be procured centrally, and supplied under various programmes to the Hearing Impaired for rehabilitation.
  6. As part of up gradation of existing facilities at District Nodal Centres, BERA has been installed as a State specific plan specially focused on hearing assessment of Paediatric population and disability board clients. Training has also been given to all audiologists and audiometric assistants under NPPCD.