A cochlear implant is a small, complex electronic device that can help to provide a sense of sound to a person who is profoundly deaf or severely hard-of-hearing. Unlike a hearing aid, Cochlear implants bypass damaged portions of the ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve.
Speaking on the occasion Ms Sangita Reddy, said this is a milestone which has touched the lives of that many people. She said the implant is expensive and appealed to donors and corporates to come forward and support several others who are in need of cochlear implants. Off the 700 patients treated till now 300 were supported by Arogyasree and 350 others got support from SAHI (Society to Aid the Hearing Impaired, Apollo Hospitals, donors etc.
Dr. K. Rambabu said, though it’s an expensive treatment, it gives an opportunity for the child to lead a normal life like anyone else post cochlear implantation. It is essential to create awareness about recognising deafness in children at an early stage. Latest technology is available to identify deafness and all children need to be screened for hearing. A child with cochlear implant can lead a normal life and their performance is no different, infact some of them excel in studies. SAHI extends financial support of Rs 2 lakh to male child and Rs 2.5 lakh for female child, in case the child is not eligible under Arogyasri SAHI
The Cochlear Implant Clinic made a humble beginning in 1994 by performing one of the first cochlear implants outside Australia. The Clinic has since gained the reputation of being the leading Cochlear Implant Clinic in South Asia treating patients from India, Sri Lanka, Oman, Kuwait, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Tanzania, Nigeria, USA and Canada. As a gesture of goodwill, a Pakistani child was implanted with cochlear implant free of cost, last year. Every year the Clinic helps more than 150 hearing impaired adults and children to gain improved access to sound; some of them hearing sounds for the very first time. The youngest recipient at the Clinic was 9 months old and the oldest being 83 years.
This outstanding accomplishment has been possible mainly due to the dedication and expertise of the team at the Clinic; unstinted support of Apollo Health City and the management and NGO - SAHI (Society to Aid the Hearing Impaired), says Dr. E. C. Vinay kumar, Head, Department of ENT, Apollo Health City and President, Cochlear Implant Group of India.
Since its inception nine years ago, SAHI has been in the forefront in the war against deafness through its ‘Gift a Ear project and has been solely responsible for convincing the former Chief Minister Late Dr. Y.S.Rajasekahara Reddy in including Cochlear Implant surgery in the Rajiv Aarogyasri Health Insurance Plan. SAHI donates Rs. 2 to 2.5 Lakhs to the children below 15 years who are not eligible for Rajiv Aarogyasri to undergo Cochlear Implant surgery under ‘Gift a Ear Project’, so far 115 children have benefited under this project.
With more than 700 implantations performed since 1994, the Cochlear Implant Program at Apollo Health City has grown to be one of the largest pediatric cochlear implant programs in India and South Asia. This important milestone, has given us further impetus to rededicate ourselves in aid of the hearing impaired, says Dr. Vinayakumar.
Some Highlights of the Cochlear Implant Clinic:
1. The cochlear implant clinic has gained recognition as one of the largest of its kind in India and South Asia.
2. Highest number of cochlear implant surgeries (18) in a single day, a world record.
3. Responsible in bringing Cochlear implant program under Rajiv Arogyasree community health insurance scheme.
4. Successfully organized several conferences, workshops to train professionals on cochlear implants including the 7th Annual Cochlear Implant group of India annual conference.
5. Conducted over 68 scientific studies related to cochlear implants and related sciences.
6. Funded over 110 patients for cochlear implant surgery in association with SAHI (Society to Aid the Hearing Impaired)- for more details www.sahiearcare.org
7. Selected to organize Asia Pacific Symposium on Cochlear implants and Related Sciences (APSCI) -2013 for the first time in India, from 26th to 29th November, 2013.
8. Performed number of high end Ear, Nose & throat surgeries like CSF leak repairs, Skull base surgeries, Thyroplasties, Tracheal reconstruction, Cochlear anomalies, Pituitary surgeries, etc.
