Kerala - Kochi   

Giving the gift of sound

KOCHI: Jude Kelvin Luiz cannot speak because he cannot hear. The 45-year-old bank employee used sign language to convey that a cochlear implant was the best thing that could happen to children with hearing impairment. His silent expressions were well understood at a function that launched Hear Foundation, an organisation that will help create awareness and raise funds for cochlear implants for hearing-impaired children.

Promoted by Medical Trust Hospital, which started the cochlear implant programme in December 2005, the foundation was inaugurated by actor Kavya Madhavan. Sharing her experience on the making of the film ‘Ooma Penninu Uriyada Payyan,’ Ms. Kavya said she learnt a lot from a couple whom she met before the film was shot.

Sharing experiences at the function were parents of children who had undergone cochlear implants.

The hospital has done about 24 implants till now and 12 children have responded positively.

The cost of the surgery is about Rs.5 lakh, which has been a major deterrent for more surgeries.

At the function Kurian John Melamparambil, chairman and managing director of MVJ Foods, and N. Jehangir, managing director, Nest Communications, were honoured for being benefactors of the implant programme. K. Chandran Pillai, MP, spoke on the occasion.

Earlier, P.V. Louis, medical director of the hospital, welcomed the gathering. Mathew Dominic, ENT surgeon, introduced the subject and P.V. Antony, managing director of the hospital presided. Sudhish Karunakaran, consultant neuro-surgeon at the hospital, proposed a vote of thanks.

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