KOCHI: He is known for scorching cricket tracks with his blazing deliveries, but Australian pacer Brett Lee was on a different mission in Kochi on Thursday, promoting Cochlear implants in infants so that no child is left behind for want of hearing capability. It was accidental that he jumped onto the bandwagon to promote the implants. “My son had a fall in 2011 when he was just five and had diminished hearing for about a year but fortunately his hearing got back to normal. However, those few months really shook me. It was a traumatizing experience which made me realize what so many people and their families go through. I’ve been fortunate to be blessed with perfect hearing and would like to convey this message to everyone here in India, that if they or anybody in their family are suffering from hearing loss, they should seek help as there are plenty of options available,” Brett Lee told presspersons here.
“There is significant functional, social, emotional and economic impact of hearing impairment on individuals and their families. Today, hearing loss has become a huge global public health issue. I wish to use this platform to say that everyone deserves to enjoy the sounds of everyday life. I want to help make sure, that anyone who is living in this world can experience the sounds of joy, to hear the voices of loved ones, family and friends. Parents and family members should not ignore the smallest signs of hearing loss and should take speedy action. I have personally witnessed how a cochlear implant takes a person from silence to sound. Kerala has been a shining example of leadership in introducing bold healthcare initiatives. I urge the Government of Kerala to mandate Universal Newborn Hearing Screening,” Brett Lee added. UNHS is a simple medical procedure for early detection of congenital hearing loss. This test is vital in order to detect hearing impairment in newborns and to ensure early intervention.
