Questions families ask
Short answers to the questions we hear most. If yours isn’t here, send us a message.
About the programme
Who is Ishara Kids for?
Deaf and hard-of-hearing children aged 2 to 6, and their families. Our centre is in Noida; our app is for families anywhere in India.
My child has some hearing. Are they welcome?
Yes. Children with any level of hearing are welcome.
How much time do parents need to give?
Parent participation is part of the programme: a weekly workshop, short daily activities at home and two progress meetings a month.
We live outside Delhi-NCR.
You can join through the Ishara Kids app, from anywhere in India.
Are you a clinic? Do you sell hearing aids?
No. We are an education programme with qualified therapists on our team. We don’t sell devices and have no ties to any device company.
Communication and devices
Do you only teach sign language?
No. ISL is the language of our classroom, and Hindi and English grow alongside it, through pictures, print and stories, and speech for children who use it.
Will learning sign language stop my child from speaking?
This is one of the most common worries, and you may hear different views, because researchers still debate it. What is widely agreed is that a child needs full access to a language as early as possible, and ISL gives that from the first day. At Ishara Kids, children who use devices practise listening and speech every day alongside signing, and we will always tell you honestly how your child is doing.
My child has a hearing aid or cochlear implant. Is this right for us?
Yes. Children with devices are equally at home here, and we build listening and speech practice into the day.
We haven’t decided about hearing aids or an implant yet.
That’s fine. Your child is welcome either way, and nothing here depends on that decision. It is a decision for you and your doctors.
We’re a hearing family and don’t know any signs.
Most of our families start exactly there. We teach you 15 to 20 useful signs every week.
Why don’t you use words like “mook-badhir” or “hearing impaired”?
Many deaf people find these words inaccurate or hurtful. “Mook” means mute, and many deaf people use their voice. We say deaf or hard of hearing (बधिर), because that is how many people in the Deaf community describe themselves. Read more
Joining and cost
Do we need reports or certificates to start?
No. You don’t need any reports to begin.
Is there an assessment or test?
No clinical tests. Your first visit is a free, playful First Play Visit.
What does it cost?
During the pilot, the app is free for 3 months, tuition is 50% off, and the first 10 families to enrol pay no admission fee.
Safety and privacy
Who will be with my child, and how do you keep children safe?
Qualified special educators and Deaf educators, all checked before they start. Our Lead Safeguarding Officer is Neha Kumari. Read our safeguarding policy
Is my information safe?
We only ask for what we need, only our admissions team sees it, and we never share or sell it. Privacy policy