Shruti-Home

Contact Us
+977-1-4438237

Introduction

SHRUTI, the National Association of the Hard of Hearing and Deafened (HOH/d) Nepal, is a non-profit disabled peoples’ organization established by people affected by hearing loss in 2012 to provide its members and HOH/d people a platform with a uniform voice. SHRUTI promotes rights and empowerment of HOH/d by reducing the persistent communication and cultural barriers they face. SHRUTI implements projects in partnership with the government, as well as a range of international organizations, such as Disability and Development Partners (UK), the Abilis Foundation (Finland), Royal Kentalis and Kentalis International Foundation (The Netherlands), My Right (Sweden), All Nippon Association of Hard of Hearing and Late-Deafened (ZENNANCHO, Japan), Workability International (Japan), International Disability Alliance/International Federation of Hard of Hearing (IDA/IFHOH), etc.

SHRUTI is registered at Kathmandu District Administration Office and Kathmandu Metropolitan City; and is affiliated with the Social Welfare Council and the National Youth Council. SHRUTI is an active member of Asia and Pacific Federation of Hard of Hearing and Deafened (APFHD), International Federation of Hard of Hearing (IFHOH), International Federation of Hard of Hearing Young People (IFHOHYP) and National Federation of Disabled Nepal (NFDN). SHRUTI is also a member of the World Hearing Forum, the WHO for the period 2021-2023.

With a vision to create inclusive society, where social justice and rights of hard of hearing and deafened people are guaranteed, SHRUTI has a mission to work for hard of hearing and deafened people to achieve their rights on communication, quality education, social and economic activities. The goal of SHRUTI is are: to contribute to the creation of an inclusive society, to promote accessibility of hard of hearing and deafened people; to strengthen and empower members’ capacity, to advocate for early identification, intervention, and recognition of hard of hearing and deafened people as person with disabilities, to promote inclusive education, and to establish rehabilitation and resource centre.

Enhancing Early Intervention and Rehabilitation Services for Children with Hearing Loss

In Nepal, early identification and screening of hearing loss among children has improved in recent years, enabling more children to access hearing aids and cochlear implants. However, many are still unable to fully benefit due to limited follow-up rehabilitation services such as language development therapy, communication skills training, and psychosocial support. This gap significantly affects children’s learning, communication, and social participation, highlighting the need for sustained rehabilitation and skilled service providers.

For the past seven years, SHRUTI has been providing Individualized Education Plan (IEP)-based rehabilitation services to around 45 children with hearing loss in the Kathmandu Valley. Through language and communication development classes, daily living skills support, psychosocial counseling, and close collaboration with parents and teachers, the program has contributed to significant improvements in children’s language development, school participation, and social confidence.

To sustain and expand these vital services, SHRUTI has partnered with Kathmandu Metropolitan City to strengthen its capacity and reach more children with hearing loss. The program aims to develop and train three specialized service providers who will support children through assessments, individualized intervention plans, parent and teacher training, inclusive education support, and psychosocial services. By investing in early intervention and inclusive education, we can help children with hearing loss achieve their full potential and participate actively in school, family, and community life.

This initiative is fully aligned with the Constitution of Nepal, the Disability Rights Act, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), Article No. 24 (Education), 25 (Health) and 26 (Habilitation and Rehabilitation) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and 4 (Quality Education). It focuses on building skilled local human resources to ensure sustainable and community-based rehabilitation services.

Other Activities

Ear Screening and Hearing Health Awareness Program

SHRUTI – National Association of the Hard of Hearing and Deafened, Nepal, has been working for the past 13 years to promote the rights, inclusion, and accessibility of people with hearing loss. Recognizing that hearing loss can significantly affect children’s speech, language, learning, and social development, SHRUTI continues to advocate for early identification and timely intervention. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 5% of the world’s population, approximately 34 million children and 432 million adults, live with disabling hearing loss, making awareness and early detection essential.

In collaboration with Kathmandu Metropolitan City Ward No. 4, SHRUTI has launched an Ear Screening and Hearing Health Awareness Program aimed at improving hearing health and early identification of hearing difficulties among children. The program includes ear and hearing screening for students in all four public schools, as well as orientation sessions for teachers on hearing health, early identification of hearing loss, and classroom support strategies.

In addition, awareness sessions will be conducted for teachers from two private schools and community members in two local communities within Ward No. 4. Through these activities, SHRUTI aims to increase public awareness about hearing health, strengthen support systems for children with hearing loss, and promote more inclusive educational and community environments.