Kolkata: Marking World Deaf Week 2026, the Association of Otolaryngologists of India (AOI), West Bengal, has taken an initiative to raise public awareness about hearing loss, with a focus on early detection, prevention, timely treatment and rehabilitation.
World Deaf Week is observed every year from September 21 to 27, with the final Sunday of the week observed as World Deaf Day. The initiative seeks to highlight the importance of hearing in communication, education, professional development and social participation.
Dr Utpal Jana, Immediate Past President, AOI West Bengal, said that hearing loss is often silent and difficult to notice, but its impact can be significant. He stressed the importance of early detection, particularly among children, noting that timely intervention can have a major impact on speech, language, education and overall development.
Echoing the concern, Dr Dwaipayan Mukherjee, Immediate National Past President of AOI, emphasised the importance of hearing assessments at birth and during early childhood. He said undetected hearing loss in children can affect speech, language and academic development, while timely evaluation among adults and senior citizens can help address communication difficulties, social isolation and reduced quality of life.
Dr Shuvendu Kar, President-Elect, AOI West Bengal, urged people to remain cautious about prolonged exposure to loud music, headphones, traffic and industrial noise, as well as firecrackers. He highlighted that noise-induced hearing loss is largely preventable and advised people to avoid unnecessarily high volumes and use appropriate hearing protection in noisy environments.
Addressing the stigma surrounding hearing aids and hearing rehabilitation, Dr Ajoy Khawas, Secretary, AOI West Bengal, said hearing aids should not be viewed as a sign of weakness or ageing. Instead, they can help people reconnect with their families, communities and everyday lives. He also highlighted the role of modern hearing solutions, including cochlear implants and other rehabilitation options, in improving the lives of people with significant hearing impairment.
On behalf of AOI West Bengal, Dr Soumendra Nath Bandopadhyay appealed to parents to remain alert to signs such as a child not responding to sounds, delayed speech, frequently asking for repetition or regularly increasing the television volume. Adults who experience difficulty following conversations, particularly in noisy surroundings, were also advised to consult an ENT specialist rather than considering hearing loss an inevitable part of ageing.
Main World Deaf Week Programme in Chandannagar
According to AOI West Bengal, the main day-long World Deaf Week programme will be held on September 21 at the IMA Building in Chandannagar, Hooghly. The programme will begin with a ‘Walk for the Deaf’, followed by the felicitation of socially accomplished deaf individuals, distribution of hearing aids and presentations by deaf students.
Through the week-long initiative, AOI West Bengal aims to promote greater public awareness about hearing health and encourage people to seek early evaluation and appropriate medical intervention for hearing-related concerns.
