The Hindu : New Delhi News : Cochlear implants promise a sound future

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jul 29, 2006

New Delhi

New Delhi

Cochlear implants promise a sound future

Bindu Shajan Perappadan

A SOUND IMPLANT: Some of the cochlear implantee children, who were hearing impaired before the implant, with their parents at a function, "A Sound Future'', organised by Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi on Friday. Photo: S. Subramanium

NEW DELHI: Sir Ganga Ram Hospital's Ear-Nose-Throat Department organised "A Sound Future'' day here on Friday by inviting 50 patients successfully fitted with cochlear implants.

All these patients, who suffered from hearing and speech impairments before the implants, can now both hear and speak. To mark the occasion, children with cochlear implants presented a cultural programme to send out a message that being born with hearing impairment does not mean they cannot hear and learn to speak.

Started in July 2001, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital was the first non-government hospital in North India to offer this path-breaking technology to individuals severely impaired of hearing.

Australia's High Commissioner in New Delhi, John McCarthy, who was the chief guest on the occasion, said: "I came to know about cochlear implant about eight years ago when I met patients in Singapore and Malaysia. My last experience was in Japan where cochlear implant was making a lot of inroads. I have seen my former 70-year-old colleague who had lost his hearing improve considerably with the help of a cochlear implant. Since I had personally and closely seen the benefits I am delighted to be here. We would like to see the cochlear implant facility available to everyone needing it.''

Cochlear implants are electronic devices that help people hear sound. Hearing-impaired children as well as adults can use the cochlear implants successfully. It is a device that bypasses the non-functioning inner ear. The implant has two parts: internal and external. The internal part is implanted surgically into the bone behind the ear, under the skin. A part of this implant goes inside the cochlea. This part is not visible from outside.

Cochlear implants are worn throughout the day except when sleeping, bathing or swimming. Children who have been implanted with successful results can hear, understand conversation and develop language.

Said Sir Ganga Ram Hospital Board of Management Chairman B. K. Rao: "Our hospital has a good trained team comprising ENT surgeons, audiologist and other physicians along with state-of-the-art equipment that ensures that patients receive good results.''

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