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ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Presenter Information:	Presenter 1: Name: Raj Desai Affiliation: Project Deaf India Dr. Rajendra Desai received his MD from University of Bombay. He was awarded a Fullbright Fellowship for advanced studies in Hematology/Oncology at New England Medical Center, Boston. He obtained a PH.D. from Boston University. He was then on the Academic Staff at Boston University, Standford University and University of California. He was in Private Practice in Southern California for 40 years. Following retirement he started Project Deaf India, with 2 Goals--Early Detection of Hearing Loss/Intervention and prevention of Deafness through vaccination with MR vaccine for Measles and Rubella.
Author Information:	Author 1: Name: Raj Desai Affiliation: Project Deaf India
Abstract Information:	Title: Pilot Project to Start National Program for Prevention and Control of Deafness in India Primary Track: 3-Early Intervention Keyword(s): EHDI IN INDIA Abstract: INDIA HAS HIGHEST NUMBER OF DEAF PEOPLE IN THE WORLD. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT 1/12 PERSONS IN INDIA HAS SOME DEGREE OF HEARING LOSS. SUCH A LARGE NUMBER OF HEARING IMPAIRED YOUNG PERSONS AMOUNTS TO SEVERE LOSS OF PRODUCTIVITY,BOTH PHYSICAL AND ECONOMICAL. EHDI STARTED IN RECENT YEARS AT SEVERAL CITIES, NAMELY: MYSORE, MUMBAI, KERALA, CHENNAI AND GOA. BECAUSE INDIA KEEPS MOM AND NEWBORN FOR 4-7 DAYS, A CONVENIENT METHOD IS TO SEND AN AUDIOLOGIST ON A MOTORBIKE (SCOOTER) WITH A SCREENING MACHINE IS ADOPTED. ABOUT 100 BABIES ARE SCREENED PER DAY. INDIA CANNOT AFFORD TO KEEP A TESTING MACHINE AT EACH BIRTHING CENTER IT ALSO ALLOWS TESTING OF NEWBORNS AT VILLAGES AND HOME DELIVERIES. NOW THE GOVT OF INDIA HAS STARTED EHDI AS A NATIONAL PILOT PROJECT. Presentation(s): Not Available Handouts: Not Available