Bangalore : One-year-old Chander (name changed) from Bangalore underwent an intricate cochlear implant surgery that effectively restored his hearing. Cochlear implants function by bypassing damaged parts of the ear and directly stimulating the auditory nerve. The implant generates signals that travel through the auditory nerve to the brain, where they are interpreted as sound. SPARSH Hospital, with its advanced medical care, ensures that challenges associated with complex health conditions are overcome.
Chander was brought to the hospital by his concerned parents, who noticed he wasn’t responding to loud sounds. Upon thorough evaluation, it was discovered that he had bilateral profound hearing loss due to genetic factors. Despite his tender age, doctors decided to proceed with a cochlear implant surgery to bypass the block in his cochlea, enabling him to perceive sound.
After a thorough evaluation, it was found that while Chander’s overall anatomy was normal but had a genetic condition affecting the cells in his cochlea, and this hindered the ability to perceive hearing signals. Despite initially trying a hearing aid, which had no positive results, the doctor made a decision to proceed with a cochlear implant surgery to overcome this obstacle. This small electronic device, consisting of internal and external components, was implanted directly into Chander’s cochlea.
The surgery was intricate, especially considering Chander’s young age. The external device, resembling a hearing aid, is operated by the wearer. The surgical procedure for the internal device involves making a small 5 cm incision behind the ear to create a pocket in the skull for implant placement. Electrodes are carefully guided into the ear through a bone channel, avoiding the facial nerve. Once securely in place, the external device will either a hearing aid resembling a box or ear processor, is attached directly to the internal device using a magnet. Despite the challenges, the doctor’s excellent planning and anesthesia care ensured a successful surgery. Chander recovered well, spending a few days in the ward receiving routine antibiotic injections before being discharged on the third day without complications.
Commenting on the surgery, Dr. Basharat Nadeem, Consultant Otologist and Cochlear Implant Surgeon, SPARSH Hospital Infantry Road, Bangalore said: “This procedure may seem simple, but it requires precision. The implant alone constitutes only 30% to 35% of the process; more emphasis should be put in post-implant speech therapy. After the activation of the device, typically occurring three to four weeks post-surgery, marks the beginning of the child’s auditory journey. We are happy that post surgery Chander had no complications and returned to his normal life.
Despite of his age Chander underwent the surgery got a new lease of life. Our commitment to delivering compassionate and precise medical care remains constant, this ensures better health outcomes for all patients of all ages.