By Ruvina Khan
Vasco
The SMRC Hospital at Chicalim has successfully performed Goa’s first bilateral simultaneous cochlear implant surgery on a three-year-old child suffering from bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss.
The surgery was carried out by ENT and cochlear implant surgeon Dr Parag Sawant, with anaesthesia support from Dr Deepak Kuvelker and the hospital’s operating theatre team.
Explaining the procedure, Dr Sawant, who has successfully performed 26 cochlear implants surgeries on children at SMRC till date, said a cochlear implant is a device that helps children and adults with deafness to hear sounds.
“It is also known as the bionic ear. The device is surgically placed in the inner ear and directly stimulates the hearing nerve, allowing the brain to receive sound signals more clearly. It not only helps the child to hear but also enables development of normal speech and language, which allows them to join regular schools, perform well in academics and lead an independent life. Early treatment is crucial for the best outcomes,” he said.
Dr Sawant added that cochlear implants are also beneficial for adults who have lost hearing and do not respond to hearing aids.
“In this case, both ears were operated upon in a single surgery, which will give added benefits such as sound direction, better clarity and even music appreciation,” he said.
The child’s family received financial support under the Goa Mediclaim and Medical Reimbursement Scheme.
Congenital deafness is one of the most common birth disorders, and can be detected early through a hearing screening test called OAE, conducted on newborns before discharge from hospital. The test is safe and helps in early diagnosis.
Hospital officials said the child is recovering well and both implants are functioning as expected. The surgery is expected to restore near-normal hearing, aid speech and language development, and enable the child to pursue regular schooling.
