World Hearing Day

UNO celebrates the World Hearing Day on 3^rd of March each year. The day aims to raise awareness about preventing hearing loss. Foundation University, and its constituent hospital (Fauji Foundation Hospital) have taken up a key role and a firm commitment to treat birth related deafness. This is a multidisciplinary project that requires input from ENT, Radiology, Pediatric, Anesthesia and Speech Rehabilitation department, along with a strong administrative team. Under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Sayed Nusrat Raza (Head of department of Ear, Nose, Throat disease. Founder Cochlear Implant Program at FFH) and his personally trained team of ear surgeons nearly 50 deaf children have transcended from a silent world to a universe of sound. On 27^th February 2025, a ceremony was conducted in Foundation University Medical College marking “A half century of Cochlear Implants”. The attendees were appraised about the condition of deaf children in Pakistan and the role Cochlear Implantation plays in restoration of hearing. Previously implanted children were brought on stage to showcase their respective stages of progress with the implant (ranging from detection of sound, single word formation to recitation of Holy Quran and conversation with the chief guest). A small documentary about the SAMAAT/ Cochlear Implant program at Fauji Foundation Hopsital was screened. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the commitment for continuing the fight against deafness was re-emphasized; “We cannot allow them to stay deaf, just because they cannot afford to hear!” was emphatically stated by Prof. Dr. Sayed Nusrat Raza and his team. The SAMAAT program (which coordinates between Foundation Universtiy, various departments of Fauji Foundation Hospital and Pakistan Bait Ul Maal for hearing screening, hearing restoration and cochlear implantation program) will be a “Beacon Of Sound” for all hearing impaired patients and their families in this country.