Cochlear Implant

Most of us are blessed to have normal hearing. But there are many people who are deaf by birth. The bigger challemge for people with hearing loss is that they are dumb as well. Our brain helps us learning those things that we hear. A person who cannot hear is unable to speak because he is unable to learn the words. A cochlear implant is a device that provides direct electrical stimulation to the auditory nerve in the inner ear. Children and adults with a severe to profound hearing loss by birth or due to some other reasons who cannot be helped with hearing aids may be helped with cochlear implants. The implant consists of two parts. First one is an external portion that is put behind the ear and a second portion that is surgically placed under the skin.

People with dimnished hearing loss over the age can be helped with hearing aids but people with nerve damage or deafness by birth need cochlear implant surgery only. A cochlear implant is very different from a hearing aid. Hearing aids increases sound so they may be detected by damaged ears. Cochlear implants bypass damaged portions of the ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve. It is similar to taking the bypass to avoid traffic jam on another road. Signals generated by the implant are sent by way of the auditory nerve to the brain, which recognizes the signals as sound. Use of a cochlear implant requires both a surgical procedure and speech therapy for about 2 months to learn or relearn the sense of hearing.

Symptoms & Treatment

Children and adults can be good candidates for a cochlear implant if they:

They are deaf and dumb by birth

 Have severe to profound hearing loss in both ears.

 They have tried hearing aids without any benfit

 Have lost their hearing due to some accident

The efficacy of cochlear implant varies from person to person. Most patients feel a significant growth in hearing within few days after their cochlear implant is turned on, which is about four to six weeks after surgery. Cochlear implants improve hearing but they do not restore hearing to normal. It is also important to understand that cochlear implant is not suitable for every one. So it is important to meet the ENT specialist at Jiva Hospital, Purnia for proper assessment of suitability for cochlear implants.

Best Doctors and Cost

Dr Singh is one of the best and highly qualified ENT Specialist and Surgeon in India for the treatment of hearing loss in children and adults through Cochlear Implant Surgery at Jiva Hospital, Purnia Bihar. The cost of Cochlear Implant Surgery at Jiva Hospital is Rs. 9.5 lacs per ear. The hospital stay is 1 day. In case of patient who cannot hear by birth, neds to undergo speech therapy for few months. If you have an individual health insurance policy then this surgery is covered after a period of 2 years from the date of inception of the policy. However if you are a beneficiary of company given policy then the surgery is covered from day one. Always go through the terms of your health insurance policy like room rent capping and co-payment to avoid any kind of financial shocks later on.