School-based assessment launched in Mysuru to identify hearing disorders

Mysuru launches SAARTHI, a school-based initiative for early detection and intervention of children's speech and 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.