Sruthitharangam ( Cochlear Implantation Scheme ) is a state government scheme in Kerala that provides free cochlear implantation surgery and follow-up support to children with profound hearing loss. The scheme began in 2012 under the Social Justice Department through the Kerala Social Security Mission, and from the financial year 2023-24 it is being implemented by the State Health Agency, Kerala under the Health and Family Welfare Department.
The scheme covers surgical support for cochlear implantation, auditory verbal habilitation therapies (AVHT), maintenance of spares and accessories, and speech processor upgrades. These benefits are given in a cashless mode through public and private hospitals empanelled under the scheme, so families do not have to pay the high treatment costs from their own pocket.
Early identification and intervention within the first months of a child's life make a big difference for a child with hearing loss. This scheme protects poor and at-risk families from the heavy money burden of cochlear implant surgery, which is often unaffordable for many households in the state.
The scheme is open to resident beneficiaries of Kerala, except families of central or state government employees and income tax payees. Applications are reviewed by a State Level Technical Committee, and once approved, the treatment is processed by the empanelled hospital in a cashless way.
Sruthitharangam ( Cochlear Implantation Scheme ) - Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Sruthitharangam ( Cochlear Implantation Scheme ) |
| Level | State |
| Beneficiary State | Kerala |
| Category | Health and Wellness |
| Implementing Department | State Health Agency, Kerala (Health and Family Welfare Department) |
| Started | 2012, under Social Justice Department |
| Benefit Type | Free cochlear implantation surgery and follow-up support |
| Application Mode | Through empanelled hospitals |
| Official Website | sha.kerala.gov.in |
Benefits
Sruthitharangam ( Cochlear Implantation Scheme ) gives free cochlear implantation surgery to children with profound hearing loss and also supports their recovery. The main benefits under the scheme are:
- Surgical support for cochlear implantation, which is the proven treatment for deep or profound hearing loss.
- Auditory verbal habilitation therapies (AVHT) at empanelled centres to help the child learn to hear and speak after surgery.
- Maintenance of spares and accessories of the processor, given every year with the support of the concerned local self-government institution, at ₹50,000 per beneficiary per financial year.
- Speech processor upgrades for eligible implantees up to 25 years of age.
Maintenance and processor upgrade benefits are also extended to implantees who had their surgery through other schemes, self-funding or crowd-funding, subject to the eligibility criteria. This makes the scheme useful for a wider group of hearing-impaired children and adults.
Eligibility
To get support under this scheme, the applicant should meet these conditions:
- The child or individual must be a resident beneficiary of Kerala.
- The family should not be a family of central or state government employees.
- The family should not be an income tax payee.
- The child should have profound hearing loss within the age limits set for each benefit.
The age-specific eligibility criteria are as follows. For cochlear implantation surgery, the child should preferably be within 3 years of age, though special approval from the Technical Committee can extend this up to 5 years. Cases of profound hearing loss due to post-meningitis injury are considered without age restriction, and post-lingual profound hearing loss cases up to 12 years of age are also considered subject to the technical committee decision. Speech processor upgrade is eligible up to 25 years of age, and maintenance of spares and accessories has no age limit.
Application Process
The application process for Sruthitharangam ( Cochlear Implantation Scheme ) is handled through the empanelled hospitals and not directly online. The steps are given below.
STEP 1 - Visit any hospital empanelled under the scheme with your child and get the child examined for hearing impairment.
STEP 2 - Submit the application in the prescribed format through the empanelled hospital. The hospital will guide you on the required details and documents.
STEP 3 - The application is reviewed by the State Level Technical Committee, which meets regularly depending on the receipt of applications.
STEP 4 - Once approved, the treatment is processed by the empanelled hospital in a cashless mode, and the decision of the committee is informed to the applicant through a letter by post. The claim process is managed through the online portal designed for the Arogyakiranam Scheme.
Documents
When applying through the empanelled hospital, keep these documents ready:
- Proof of residence in Kerala for the family.
- Birth certificate or proof of age for the child.
- Medical reports confirming profound hearing loss.
- Proof that the family is not an income tax payee.
- Proof that the family is not of a central or state government employee.
- Recent passport-size photograph of the child.
Empanelled Hospitals
Treatment under the scheme is available at government and private hospitals empanelled by the state. These include Government Medical College Thiruvananthapuram, Government Medical College Kottayam, Government Medical College Kozhikkode, Ascent Hospital Perinthalmanna, Dr Manoj's ENT Hospital Kozhikkode, Dr Noushad's ENT Hospital Ernakulam, Medical Trust Hospital Ernakulam, KIMS Health Thiruvananthapuram, Baby Memorial Hospital Kozhikkode, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences Ernakulam, and National Institute of Speech and Hearing (NISH) Thiruvananthapuram for audio verbal therapy.
References
Official Scheme Page - State Health Agency Kerala
Download Scheme Note PDF
List of Empanelled Hospitals
FAQ's
What is Sruthitharangam ( Cochlear Implantation Scheme )?
It is a Kerala state government scheme that provides free cochlear implantation surgery and follow-up support, including audio verbal therapy, maintenance of spares and processor upgrades, for children with profound hearing loss.
Which department runs this scheme now?
The scheme is now implemented by the State Health Agency, Kerala under the Health and Family Welfare Department, after being transferred from the Kerala Social Security Mission from the financial year 2023-24.
Who can apply under this scheme?
Resident beneficiaries of Kerala can apply, except families of central or state government employees and income tax payees. The child should have profound hearing loss within the age limits set for each benefit.
What is the age limit for cochlear implantation surgery?
The surgery is preferably done within 3 years of age, though the Technical Committee can extend eligibility up to 5 years. Post-meningitis cases have no age restriction, and post-lingual profound hearing loss cases up to 12 years are also considered.
How can I apply for this scheme?
You do not apply online directly. You should visit a hospital empanelled under the scheme and submit the application in the prescribed format through the hospital, which is then reviewed by the State Level Technical Committee.
Is the treatment free?
Yes, once the application is approved, the treatment is processed by the empanelled hospital in a cashless mode, so the family does not have to pay the surgery and related costs.