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Approximatley, 5-6/1000 children suffer from the problem of hearing loss
India
healthysoch
New Delhi,February 13, 2025;
For the first time in KHARGHAR, a team led by Dr. Rajendra Waghela, Consultant ENT Surgeon, at Medicover Hospital under the Guidance Of Dr Sanjiv Badhwar- Kdah, has achieved a landmark milestone by successfully performing a cochlear-implant surgery on a 2.5-year-old baby girl with congenital profound hearing loss.
Anika (name changed), a baby girl from Mahad had a hearing loss by birth. Despite being mentally active and intelligent, her inability to hear and speak until now had put her future in jeopardy. She failed to respond to claps or toys. Her parents consulted an audiologist, and BERA tests were performed at age 1. Due to the on-availability of facilities in Mahad, and the family’s poor socio-economic status, her treatment was delayed. Fortunately, her parents contacted Medicover Hospital and got her ENT consultation done.
Dr Rajendra Waghela, Consultant ENT And Endoscopic Surgeon, said, “The baby was suffering from congenital hearing impairment. Despite being diagnosed with hearing loss before the age of one, the child could not undergo treatment earlier due to financial constraints. About 5-6/1000 children suffer from the problem of hearing loss. It is of great importance to screen all newborns for the OAE (Oto-Acoustic Emissions) test. If found abnormal, the problem is confirmed by BERA test / Auditory Brainstem Response (used to assess the function of the Auditory nerve and Auditory pathway). This case highlights the transformative power of early diagnosis and timely intervention. Cochlear implants have revolutionized the lives of individuals with profound hearing loss. In urban centers like Mumbai, such surgeries are common, but in Navi Mumbai and Raigad, the availability of these procedures has been limited.”
Once the child was confirmed as a suitable candidate for cochlear implant ( CI )surgery, she was thoroughly investigated and prepared for surgery. This surgery involves placing the implant (cochlear implant) in the inner ear which processes the external sound converting it into an electrical impulse that stimulates the nerves and thus sound can be heard.
Dr Rajendra Waghela, Consultant ENT And Endoscopic Surgeon added,“However, with this breakthrough procedure, she is set to undergo intensive AVT therapy (Auditory Verbal Training) to start hearing and learning to speak, as her hearing age is still like that of a 3 months child. This will enable her to lead a life like other children. The surgery, fully funded by a generous NGO, Will Bring her closer to normalcy. This demonstrates Medicover’s commitment to bridging healthcare gaps in Navi Mumbai and Raigad areas, where such surgeries and facilities are currently very limited. With this surgery and subsequent therapy, she will gradually develop the ability to hear and speak, allowing her to attend a normal school and pursue any aspirations she dreams of, whether it be becoming a doctor, engineer, writer, or pilot. The possibilities are endless for her now and she can live her dreams. At Medicover, we are committed to overcoming this gap by providing not just medical expertise but also compassionate support.”
The child’s parents shared their emotional journey and said, “It was heartbreaking to see our little girl unable to recognize even the sound of claps, songs, whistles, or toys. Watching her struggle to respond to the world around her was devastating. We felt helpless, knowing her future was at risk because she couldn’t hear or speak. But after the cochlear implant surgery, everything will change. We are so thankful to the team at Medicover Hospital and the generous NGO who made this possible. Now, we hope she can lead a normal, happy life.”
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