Devangi Dalal Calls for Inclusive Hearing Care for Children as Holi Coincides with World Hearing Day

As the vibrant festival of Holi brought communities together in celebration, leading audiologist and speech-language pathologist Devangi Dalal used the occasion to amplify an equally important message, the urgent need for early hearing care for children.

Marking World Hearing Day, observed globally on March 3 under the leadership of the World Health Organization (WHO), this year’s theme, “From communities to classrooms: hearing care for all children,” emphasizes early detection, timely intervention, and collective responsibility in safeguarding children’s hearing health.

Addressing the significance of the day, Devangi Dalal highlighted that childhood hearing loss often remains unnoticed until speech delay or academic difficulties surface. “By the time speech delay becomes evident, valuable developmental time may already have passed. Routine screening, parental awareness, and school-level vigilance are critical to ensuring children receive timely support,” she said.

With years of dedicated work in hearing care and rehabilitation, Devangi Dalal has consistently advocated for integrating hearing screening into mainstream child healthcare systems. She stressed that millions of children worldwide live with preventable or treatable hearing loss, and early diagnosis can dramatically transform their developmental journey. “When identified early, children with hearing challenges can achieve speech clarity, academic success, and social confidence on par with their peers,” she noted.

Drawing a meaningful parallel with Holi, Devangi Dalal remarked that the festival symbolizes unity, inclusion, and togetherness. “Holi breaks social barriers and brings people closer. In the same spirit, we must ensure that children with hearing impairment are not isolated. With awareness, empathy, and timely intervention, every child can participate fully in classrooms and communities,” she added.

The WHO campaign urges governments, healthcare providers, educators, and families to prioritize hearing screening in routine child health programs and school systems. Strengthening accessibility to diagnostic services, digital hearing technology, and rehabilitation support remains central to building inclusive educational environments.

As celebrations of color filled the air, the message of World Hearing Day resonated strongly, from communities to classrooms, hearing care for every child is not just a health priority but a social responsibility. Through her continued mission of awareness, early intervention, and empowerment, Devangi Dalal reaffirmed her commitment to ensuring that no child is left unheard.