India's Youngest Cochlear Implant Surgery on 5-month-old Baby

Sarvodaya Hospital, Faridabad successfully performed India’s Youngest Cochlear Implant Surgery on a 5-month-old baby for congenital hearing impairment, making him the youngest in India to undergo a cochlear implant surgery.

 

The team of best ENT doctors led by Dr. Ravi Bhatia, Director- ENT and Cochlear Implant, performed a cochlear implant surgery involving placing a small electronic device into the ear of the youngest patient suffering from hearing loss.

The baby was brought to Sarvodaya Hospital's Centre of ENT and Cochlear Implant - one of the best ENT centres in Faridabad & Delhi NCR at the age of 4.5 months after his grandparents noticed his lack of response to basic every day sounds like claps and cooker whistles. The baby’s father also had congenital hearing impairment which led to a rise in the family’s concern. Before this, the baby was screened at a local clinic and was diagnosed with a profound hearing loss in both his ears.

The ENT Specialists at Sarvodaya Hospital conducted a detailed audiological evaluation, including Tympanometry (test to assess the functioning of the middle ear), Oto-Acoustic Emissions (measures cell function in the inner ear), Auditory Brainstem Response (used to evaluate the function of Auditory nerve and Auditory pathway), and imaging studies like CT and MRI, which confirmed the severity of his condition.
Post this, the team of doctors decided to conduct a cochlear implant surgery, making it the first case in India where a 5-month-old baby underwent a cochlear implant surgery. Today, at 10 months old, the baby is living a healthy, normal life following the successful procedure.

This case of the youngest cochlear implant surgery case also highlights the need and importance of screening and identifying hearing conditions in children early on for optimal treatment and improved quality of life. The best Cochlear Implant Hospital in Faridabad is equipped with advanced technology for all audiology and speech tests where the experienced ENT specialists offer comprehensive care from screening and diagnosis to treatment and post-treatment therapy.

4-6 out of every 1000 children born in India are affected by congenital hearing loss, which may result from abnormal development of the auditory system during fetal development or genetic inheritance. However, since many newborns are not routinely screened for hearing loss at birth, the actual incidence is likely much higher.

Sharing insights about cochlear implant surgeries at Sarvodaya Hospital, Dr. Ravi Bhatia said, "At Sarvodaya Hospital, we have successfully performed over 300 cochlear implant surgeries, significantly enhancing the hearing abilities and quality of life for numerous young patients.

Performing cochlear implant surgery on the youngest child in India underscores our dedication to advanced care, state-of-the-art technology, and making treatments accessible and affordable. While cochlear implants can be performed at any age, early detection and timely intervention are crucial for children with severe to profound hearing loss.

These factors contribute to better outcomes, allowing children to develop normal speech and language skills and engage fully with their peers.

Cochlear implants can be transformative, enabling children to experience the auditory world and lead a life similar to those with normal hearing. Under the Hope Initiative, Sarvodaya Hospital provides this treatment free of cost through government schemes and NGO collaborations.

Adding to this, Mr. Raja Suman, Chief Audiologist at the Centre of ENT and Cochlear Implant, Sarvodaya Hospital, elaborated:

"The child is undergoing continuous monitoring to ensure optimal progress. Our team of experts, including audiologists, auditory-verbal therapists, and speech-language pathologists, is carefully tracking the child’s auditory development, speech, and language milestones.

This holistic approach ensures tailored support and guidance throughout the rehabilitation process, enabling the child to hear and thrive."