Coimbatore: PVG-Rotary Integral Ear Institute

The PVG-Rotary Integral Ear Institute (IEI), a residential school for children with hearing impairment - was inaugurated by National Human Rights Commission Director-General D R Karthikeyan on the 22 April 2002. Headed by an ENT surgeon, Dr PG Visvanathan, IEI helps early detection, provide amplification, training and speech therapy by qualified therapists and audiologists. It also looks after the education of the disabled. At present, it has 60 children receiving intensive speech language rehabilitation in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Malayalam.

The institution charges those who can afford to pay, and is totally free for those from the economically deprived sections of the population. The charges are about Rs 2,500 per month, inclusive of all facilities.

IEI also conducts research to develop a universally affordable low-cost implant under the guidance of A P J Abdul Kalam, former principal scientific adviser to the Government of India.

Source: Residential school for deaf opened, April 24, 2002, Coimbatore, Times of India