Founders
Ms. Uma Reddy’s journey into hearing healthcare began through a deeply personal experience. Born in the USA, her life took a dramatic turn when her younger son, while visiting India, suffered repeated ear infections that went untreated. These infections eventually caused hearing impairment when he was just 18 months old. Though he received medical care upon returning to the U.S., the delayed diagnosis had already impacted his speech and cognitive development.
As a mother, watching her son struggle with a preventable disability filled her with frustration and sadness, which soon turned into resolve. Realizing that many families in India faced similar struggles without access to proper care, Ms. Reddy set out on a mission to change this reality. She founded “Suno-na” (meaning “Listen”), an initiative aimed at making hearing aids affordable for underprivileged families in India. The high cost of hearing aids, monopolized by manufacturers, left many without access to the devices they needed. In response, Ms. Reddy developed affordable, solar-powered hearing aids, partnering with renowned organizations like the Bill Gates Foundation to bring her vision to life.
But her mission extended beyond just providing hearing aids. She understood that families needed comprehensive support, from diagnosis to rehabilitation. Her foundation not only supplied affordable hearing devices but also offered access to speech therapy and post-diagnosis care. Through her work, countless children have heard their first words, developed language skills, and gained opportunities for education and social integration.
Ms. Reddy has also raised awareness about the importance of early intervention in a country where newborn hearing screenings are rare. Her initiative has shone a light on an overlooked public health crisis, ensuring that no family has to navigate the emotional toll of hearing loss without support.
Mr. D.P.K. Babu founded Ashray Akruti in 1996 to empower hearing-impaired children in India, inspired by his personal experience when his younger brother was diagnosed with hearing loss. Witnessing the lack of resources and societal neglect faced by the hearing-impaired, he transformed this challenge into a mission for change. Starting with just five students, Ashray Akruti has grown over 28 years to serve more than 670 children, offering specialized education aimed at integrating them fully into society.
Under Mr. Babu’s leadership, the organization expanded its focus beyond education to healthcare. Initiatives like mobile hearing clinics and rural outreach programs now bring critical early diagnosis and treatment to underserved areas in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. His holistic approach also led to the creation of multidisciplinary centers that offer therapies, such as speech and occupational therapy, free to children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
In 2015, Ashray Akruti introduced cochlear implant surgeries, transforming the lives of over 200 children who now receive auditory-verbal therapy to help them speak and integrate into society. Mr. Babu’s vision extends to skill development programs, ensuring these children and young adults not only survive but thrive.
Recognized nationally and internationally, including by the World Health Organization’s World Hearing Forum, Mr. Babu’s work emphasizes the dignity and inclusion of people with disabilities. His profound dedication to this cause has made a lasting impact, breaking down societal barriers and creating opportunities for future generations.
