To assist in the treatment of deaf youngsters the Audiology Development Foundation of China (ADFC) is collecting donations. Beginning this month, the year-long campaign will raise funds by selling 30,000 boxes of superior Pu'er tea. This is renowned brand produced in southwest Yunnan Province.

The money raised will be used to buy audiophones for deaf children and provide them with basic language training.

Liang Tao, ADFC vice chairman, said language training for deaf people should begin when they are 2 to 3.5 years old. It was difficult for deaf children over six to begin to learn a language.

If deaf children don't receive early treatment, many of them can become dumb as they get older and be permanently impaired.

"In the impoverished rural areas of China 70 percent of families that have deaf children can't afford the treatment and lose a golden opportunity to help them," Liang said.

According to statistics there are approximately 20 million people in China with hearing difficulties which accounts for 34 percent of the country's disabled. Two million are under 14 and 800,000 under six.

The figure is increasing by 30,000 annually due to hereditary diseases, drug abuse and environmental pollution.

China has taken measures to help these youngsters. About 220,000 deaf children under seven received language training up to 2004 and 20 percent of them progressed to being admitted to ordinary kindergartens and primary schools.

People wishing to make a donation should call Beijing (8610) 6489-0942.

(Xinhua News Agency December 6, 2006)