Cochlear implant surgery restores confidence, dignity and hope: Dr Subbarayudu

Guntur: Renowned ENT surgeon Professor Yarlagadda Subbarayudu has observed that Cochlear implant surgery is not merely a procedure, but it is a pathway to a child’s language development, a family’s joy, an adult’s return to conversation, and an elderly person’s reconnection with life. “Every successful implant restores more than hearing; it restores confidence, dignity and hope,” said Dr Subbarayudu while addressing the 18th International Cochlear Implant Conference held in Poland. Dr Subbarayudu, who participated as a faculty member at the international conference, highlighted the transformative impact of cochlear implant surgeries on patients suffering from severe hearing loss. He is the only ENT professor to represent two Telugu states and one of the few from India at the international conference. He presented a scientific paper on the modified drilling technique and also showcased two research posters, which drew the attention of scholars from across the globe during the conference. He reiterated the need to make world-class hearing care accessible to more people and stressed that cochlear implantation was playing a vital role in improving communication abilities and quality of life for thousands of patients across age groups. Speaking to the media here on Friday, Dr Subbarayudu said the international conference brought together global experts in hearing restoration and focused on advancements in cochlear implant technology, surgical precision and rehabilitation methods. The discussions emphasised the need to continuously adopt evolving medical technologies to improve patient outcomes. Dr Subbarayudu also announced that Radhikarayudu Speciality Hospital in Guntur has completed 1,000 cochlear implant surgeries. He said the achievement reflected years of specialised effort in hearing restoration and represented the trust placed by patients and families in advanced treatment methods. He further stated that the hospital had received recognition from Dr NTR University of Health Sciences to offer one post-doctoral fellowship seat in Otology and Cochlear Implantation. With this, the Guntur-based institution has become the fourth centre in the country to receive such recognition. According to Dr Subbarayudu, the fellowship programme would help train future specialists in advanced hearing restoration techniques and strengthen specialised ENT services in Andhra Pradesh. He said exposure to international scientific developments would help bring newer surgical practices and updated treatment protocols to patients in India.