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Free hearing aids for 250 underprivileged children

250 hearing impaired children in India have been provided with Widex hearing aids from the JOSH (Juvenile Organization of Speech and Hearing) organisation.  
 
JOSH was founded in 2004 by audiologist Devangi Dalal and her colleague, Senior ENT Surgeon Dr. Jayant Gandhi.

"My dream is to help every Indian child with a hearing impairment grow into a strong and competent human being," says Devangi Dalal. "We founded JOSH to be able to raise funds for hearing aids and education for children of less privileged families, and I am so happy to see the children develop their speech and other skills."
 
More than 250 children from three special schools in Mumbai and Gujarat have been fitted with hearing aids provided by Widex. The hearing aids make it possible for the children to develop at the same pace as their peers with normal hearing and would have been unaffordable for the families without the help of JOSH. 
 

Life changing experiences

Hearing impaired children face multiple challenges. Many have not developed normal speech abilities and as such cannot participate fully in the education system. JOSH changes their life.

 
"Most of the children have experienced ridicule from society due to their way of speaking. Therefore, we focus on preparing the children for public speaking once their hearing improves. We do small competitions to motivate them and it is amazing to see their confidence grow," says Devangi Dalal.

Meet the youth of JOSH:

Manasi Gokhale, 22 years old. Born with a severe hearing loss. 
"When my mother discovered that I had a hearing loss she was very concerned about my future. Would I ever learn to talk? Would I be able to attend school? Would I have friends? With the help of hearing aids and schooling from JOSH, I have achieved my goals, and today I work as an assistant designer and lead a happy and very social life."
 
Krutesh Shah, 23 years old. Nearly deaf at birth.
"I had a hearing aid and audiologist training and the efforts made my speech develop. Today, I am able to speak in a language that is understandable to most. I have graduated from college and I work with an animation company. For others with the same challenges as me, I would like to tell them to have trust in themselves and never give up."