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Exclusive interview with Devangi Dalal; Mumbai-based audiologist speaks about her upcoming book and more

Mumbai-based audiologist Devangi Dalal speaks about her experience dealing with the hard of hearing, her upcoming book and her future plans with regards to the JOSH foundation.

Exclusive interview with Devangi Dalal; Mumbai-based audiologist speaks about her upcoming book and more
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In a word where hearing or speech impairment can be caused due to several factors such as ageing, head injury, accidents, or may simply be present from birth, the work of an audiologist becomes crucial as they have the skill set to understand and treat swallowing, speech, hearing, and cognitive-communication functions.

The team of Mumbai Live got in touch with Devangi Dalal, an audiologist and speech therapist from Mumbai, who is also the co-founder of Josh Foundation. Moreover, on December 7, she launched her book “Spreading Positivity” which happens to be a compilation of her own life experiences.

1. You have dedicated your lifetime towards being a communicator and an enabler for the hearing impaired. Tell us how this entire experience has been for you.

A. I believe that if you don't hear anyone or any sounds around you, how would you feel? You'd feel lost. If someone hides in a dark room, one day, how would they feel? I've worked with Hearing-impaired children and I've realized that communication is extremely crucial. Especially in today's world, where we're surrounded by such advanced technology such as electronic media, smartphones, PC's, there's been s remarkable technological shift that has taken place in the treatment of the hearing-impaired as well. The hearing aids and cochlear implants are functioning at par with near-normal hearing. So why don't we work with those people where their disability has been ignored for so long but can be corrected totally. We can reduce these numbers from the country. Hence, I've taken on the mission to change the lives of Hearing-impaired people and make them a part of a whole society. When I continued working with them, I realized that in life if any one of your organs is dysfunctional and how you become inefficient while other sensory organs work efficiently to overcome the challenges. So I get inspiration from these children to overcome any difficulty that you not taken work for the existence or not why not me overcome the challenges. They fight so well and try to overcome their barriers in life. I remember the example of one of my students who wear a hearing aid and speaks well. He's not mute but deaf. He said I stay on the earth because I have to prove my existence on earth. Working with such hearing-impaired children, I realised that if they can strive so hard to prove their existence on earth, why can't I?

2. What can we expect from your upcoming book?

A. My book, Spreading Positivity, is a compilation of my own life experiences. During the lockdown, when we were all panicky and scared, I was continuing with my therapy online for my patients. I saw that they have so many challenges in life whether it's a paralytic patient or hearing-impaired people and they're really struggling to work to overcome their difficulties whereas we, as normal people having functional organs and all the facilities available, crib for trivial matters. Therefore, I decided to change the attitudes of people so that we have a new outlook on life to overcome our personal challenges. Changing my own attitude, I decided to pen down some inspirational quotes and pictures as I have immense faith in Krishna and his Astasakhis and Astasakhas who've melodiously narrated his stories. So with those 8 pictures, I started narrating my story. On the completion of 50 blogs, which happened to align with my 50th birthday on December 7, I felt that I should come out with this book which I titled Spreading Positivity because I feel that every moment of life should be celebrated, every moment teaches us something new and tells us that life is truly beautiful.


3. Although cases of sensory impairment are quite common in our world, society has historically looked down on impairments of any kind. How do you think this attitude can be altered in the modern world?

A. According to WHO, there are 1 billion people who have disabilities and 15 per cent of those are hearing-impaired. As of now, around 466 million people of the world are hearing-impaired and 34 million of these are children. There is an increase in disability and only 10 per cent of this need is met globally. Since hearing impairment is not seen so there isn't much work done on that and this is a disability that can be eradicated from society. Hence, we have to change the attitude and misconception towards the hearing-impaired and we shall realize how different eyes have different numbers, likewise, there are different levels of hearing. In my 29 years of experience, I haven't seen anyone that has no hearing. They always have a 10-15 per cent residual hearing. We need to utilise this opportunity in the best possible manner with the best digital technology of hearing aids or cochlear implants according to their individual requirements. So that they can hear and talk like us and be a part of "normal" society. This is what shall bring out the change I'm trying to make.


4. Tell us about your upcoming plans and projects with the Josh Foundation.

A. We started JOSH Foundation in 2004 to create awareness in society. We started writing articles in newspapers and I wrote two books- Chalo Badhirone Samhalta Kariye and Kuch Suna Aapne? which helps children from diagnostics to rehabilitation and become self-sufficient in life. At JOSH Foundation, we support them for their diagnosis especially the underprivileged kids. We look out for special schools in nearby areas wherever the children require aid in hearing. We support them and conduct parents & teachers' counselling. We also help them with rehabilitation and have started sports education for these children because development is equally essential for them. We help them with employment, vocational training, and also their matrimonial matching. Overall, everything is carried out for these kids under one roof at the clinic and at the JOSH Foundation office but of course, in the future, we look forward to building an institute where all the facilities are available under one roof. Through JOSH Foundation, I would like to run a public speaking and voice maintenance class for hearing-impaired children because just like normal kids who can speak confidently in front of an audience, I want my kids to speak confidently and efficiently!

5. If you could send a message for parents who are raising a hearing-impaired child, what would it be?

A. If I want to pass on a message to the parents and guardians of hearing-impaired children, firstly, I'd like to tell them that God has been so great to gift you gifted and special children. For us, as parents, to grow "normal" children is very easy but if you have a special child and you fight against all odds to make them capable and self-sufficient, you are more efficient parents. I would like to say to those parents that you're specially sent by God who knows that you will overcome all challenges and make your child independent in society. Hence, instead of thinking that your child has a problem, just find out what the problem is and how different or difficult it is to deal with and you'll see great results. So don't be disheartened. If you, yourself, accept your child's challenge, it'll be easier for you to beat those

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