Project Deaf India, Chairman, Rotarian Raj Desai is awarded a new matching Grant  of $53,000 by the Rotary International, to conduct a new project in  the state of Goa,  India. The grant is  the results of a cooperative efforts between all fourteen   Rotary clubs of Goa, by the Past District Governor Mr Salgaocar, District 3170 and the Rotary Club of Newport Balboa, Newport Beach ,District 5320, spearheaded by Project Deaf India Chairperson, Rotarian Raj Desai

The funds are earmarked to conduct EARLY DETECTION OF NEWBORN DEAFNESS AND INTERVENTION. It is well recognized that modern computerized  screening instruments to detect hearing loss at birth are accurate enough to detect all degrees  of deafness. When a child is diagnosed deaf  at birth or in first month after birth, intervention is given such as surgery, hearing aids etc. This allows the child to permit early language recognition and speech. The child can then even be put in the mainstream educational classes.It is advisable to provide the child with hearing loss,speech, lip reading and sign  language  as a total communication program.

Because of home deliveries, private nursing homes, and Public Hospitals as birthing places, and the custom of keeping the mother and child for 5-7 days post delivery, an Audiologist is provided with a Scooter (motor bike) where he carries a small laptop size, screening instrument on the bike and visits different hospitals and even HOME DELIVERIES. If the child fails the screening test, he is referred to a main center/medical school for detail testing and intervention,.Such a scheme is economical for India so that every birthing place do not need to invest in the purchase of a screening machine.

When completed GOA will be the first state of India where all  newborns will be tested for deafness. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT AS INDIA HAS HIGHEST INCIDENCE OF DEAFNESS.