EAR listening

"Hearing loss is the number one birth defect in babies…four in 1,000 newborn children are born into a world of silence…” These dismaying facts were conveyed to a select gathering at the Two One Two Bar and Grill on October 6, 2013 to mark the 50th year of the establishment of The Education Audiology and Research Society (EAR).

A non-profit registered organization dedicated to "educating impaired children from low income homes,” EAR has "tested over 6,000 babies. Detecting a hearing loss within the first few days of life can prevent an impairment from becoming a handicap.”
Thanks to technological advances such as the cochlear implants which are surgically placed in the inner ear, many children can not only hear but also attend "mainstream schools and universities.” The hitch is that each implant costs around Rs 7,00,000.
An audiovisual presentation by former EAR honorary director Pervin Mehta which narrated the statistics also pointed out that "early detection and intervention enables children to listen and speak.”
Saker Mistri, EAR chairperson observed that hearing impaired children "come to EAR marginalized (but) leave with their heads held high, confident they can make it in a normal world.” She praised Mehta’s contribution of 30 years, describing her as a "superb teacher, fund-raiser and mentor.”
Mistri also referred to Meher Vakil who founded the organization 50 years ago. At that time, "it was not a common belief that deaf children could have hearing capabilities, but she put in passion and determination” to achieve the objectives.
Vakil thanked the EAR committee members and told the gathering that the institution’s success was "because of all of you.”
The EAR Executive Committee (EC) comprises chairperson Mistri, vice chairperson Kate Dinshaw, honorary legal advisor Khorshed Javeri, honorary treasurer Lyla Mehta and honorary secretary Arti Vakil, executive director Vahishtai Daboo and members Pervin Mehta, Shirin Malkani, Phirosa Neterwala and Tanya Joseph. Pheroza Bilimoria assisted the fund-raising effort, collecting "a huge amount” in memory of her late husband Jimmy who served on the EC.
Readers may contact EAR by email: ear_society@yahoo.co.in; tel: 9122-23061886