Kolkata, 5th March 2025: ENTOD Pharmaceuticals, in collaboration with Matanand Welfare Foundation, has launched National Hearing Week in Kolkata, furthering its mission to enhance awareness and accessibility to early hearing screenings for children. The campaign, themed “Hear Their World: Early Detection, Early Action,” focuses on the critical role of timely diagnosis in preventing speech, learning, and cognitive impairments due to hearing loss.
Kolkata has witnessed a rising number of hearing impairment cases in children due to factors such as noise pollution, untreated infections, and genetic predisposition. According to WHO, over 5 million children in India suffer from hearing loss, but many remain undiagnosed until significant developmental delays occur. According to available data, the prevalence of hearing loss in children in East India is significant, with studies reporting a range of 6.6% to 16.47% of children experiencing hearing impairment, with some studies showing a higher rate among “at-risk” neonates .
Dr Sajal Sur, K R LYNCH ENT CLINIC (M.S. ENT), Salt Lake, Kolkata stated, “The lack of awareness about early hearing loss detection often results in delayed diagnosis. Parents need to recognize early signs such as poor response to sound, delayed speech, and inattentiveness. General awareness, early interventions including medical/Surgical measures or hearing aids (as applicable) and speech therapy, can significantly enhance a child’s communication abilities.”
As part of the initiative, ENTOD Pharmaceuticals has partnered with 250+ ENT specialists and has organized 500+ free hearing check-up camps across the city. These camps will provide critical screening services and medical consultations for children.
Nikkhil K Masurkar, CEO, ENTOD Pharmaceuticals, reaffirmed, “Many children with hearing loss are not diagnosed until it starts affecting their education and social life. By then, it has already impacted their development. Through National Hearing Week, we want to make hearing check-ups a regular part of child healthcare. By working with ENT specialists, we aim to help thousands of children get the care they need.”
Through the ‘National Hearing Week’ initiative, ENTOD Pharmaceuticals and the Matan and Welfare Foundation are working to improve children’s hearing health. This ongoing campaign aims to help thousands of children live healthier, happier lives.
