COCHLEAR IMPLANTS HELP 2 BABIES REGAIN HEARING & SPEAKING AT SUM ULTIMATE MEDICARE
Bhubaneswar: Successful Cochlear Implant surgeries at SUM Ultimate Medicare (SUMUM) have granted the gift of hearing to two young children from remote areas of Odisha recently. These children, hailing from Keonjhar district, were born unable to hear and speak. Their parents sought consultation and treatment at SUMUM.
Dr. Radhamadhab Sahu, the Senior Consultant and Head of the Department of ENT and Skull Base Surgery at the hospital, advised the parents to undergo specific investigations before considering Cochlear Implant (CI) surgery.
Using the posterior tympanotomy method, a minimally invasive procedure involving a small incision resulting in minimal discomfort, the surgeries were successfully performed on the children, as disclosed by Dr. Sahu ahead of World Hearing Day on March 3rd. He emphasized the quick recovery facilitated by this technique, with both implants being activated after 21 days.
Ms. Lopamudra Tripathy, the hospital’s Audiologist, highlighted that the children would require speech therapy for three months.
Dr. Sahu pointed out that despite the effectiveness of Cochlear Implant surgery, 80 percent of the global hearing impairment needs remain unmet, leading to significant economic losses. He stressed the importance of shifting perspectives on ear and hearing care to address this issue effectively.
Cochlear Implant (CI) surgery is considered the standard treatment for individuals with severe to profound deafness. This small electronic device, placed in the inner ear, enhances hearing capabilities for those with limited or no auditory function. Dr. Sahu noted that the World Health Organization’s theme for the year, ‘Changing mindsets: Let’s make ear and hearing care a reality for all,’ aligns with this imperative.
Dr. Sahu also mentioned government initiatives such as the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) and Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP), which provide free assistance to hearing-impaired children, enabling them to embrace a new chapter in their lives.
