100th cochlear implant surgery performed at GRH

MADURAI: The Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) in

Madurai

performed its 100th

cochlear implant

surgery on Saturday, and is said to be the first hospital in southern Tamil Nadu to reach the figure. All the surgeries were performed under chief minister’s comprehensive health scheme (CMCHS), according to the doctors.

At GRH, cochlear implant – an electronic medical device that replaces the function of the damaged inner ear – is performed for children born with severe to profound hearing loss in both the ears.

As a way of celebrating the 100 surgeries, a

continuing medical education

programme (CME) and a live surgical workshop on cochlear implant, apart from a felicitation ceremony was held at

Madurai Medical College

.

The ENT department at GRH had performed the first cochlear implant surgery on January 23 in 2016. “We’re proud that in around three years’ time, we’ve been able to achieve a figure of 100,” HOD of ENT department at GRH and Madurai Medical College Dr N Dhinakaran told ToI. He added that children from the neighbouring districts like

Virudhunagar

, Pudukottai etc., were also being brought to GRH for treatment.

Unlike the hearing aids that make sounds louder, cochlear implants send sound signals to the brain by bypassing the damaged hair cells of the inner year. Under the CMCHS, the government pays around Rs 6.35 lakh for cochlear implant for each child. Though this surgery could be performed for children from one to six years of age, according to experts two to three would be the ideal age.


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