Cochlear Implants
Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital
A cochlear implant is a surgically implanted device in individuals with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss, when they do not benefit with optimally fitted hearing aids. A cochlear implant performs the function of the damaged cochlea (inner ear). It consists of an external and internal component. Both parts work together to allow the user to perceive sound.
Hearing loss could be present since birth (congenital) or could occur later on in life (acquired). It may be conductive, sensorineural or a combination of both. Common causes of conductive hearing loss include presence of middle ear fluid, tympanic membrane perforations, or fixation of the tiny hearing bones in the ear. Conductive hearing loss can be usually reversed either by medications or surgery depending on the cause and severity. Sensorineural hearing loss is however permanent and irreversible. Hearing loss can lead to speech and language delay in children. Hearing loss in both children and adults, leads to lack of communication, social isolation and loss of equal opportunities in personal and professional lives. Hearing restoration can transform their lives.
Who Can Benefit From A Cochlear Implant?
Hearing aids may help many people with hearing loss. However, when optimally fitted hearing aids fail to provide adequate benefit, cochlear implants can help.
A child can develop speech and language only if he/she can hear well. In babies who are born with hearing loss, the hearing area of the brain fails to receive any inputs, resulting in speech and language delay. If hearing loss in babies is detected and treated early (preferably within the first 2-3 years of life), they can develop speech and language at par with their normal hearing peers. Children with congenital hearing loss who meet the candidacy criteria for cochlear implants should be implanted as early as possible, preferably within the first two years of life. Earlier the age at implantation, better will be the outcomes. Hence, children with speech and language delay, or those at a higher risk of hearing loss, or those in whom hearing loss is suspected, should undergo hearing tests as early as possible. Hearing can be tested even in a 1-day-old baby.
Older children and adults who have well developed speech and language, but have developed hearing loss later on in life, and are not optimally benefitted with hearing aids, may also be candidates for cochlear implant.
Stages of Normal Communication Development In Children
0–6 months : Startled by loud sounds; soothed by mother’s voice
6–8 months : Begins to babble (bababababa)
9 months : Responds to own name
12 months : First spoken word; understands simple words and sounds
15 months : Sounds as though “talking” when jabbering, with some real words interspersed
18 months : 50-word spoken vocabulary; beginning of word combinations; can identify body parts
24 months : Spoken vocabulary of 200+ words; uses many beginning sentences; follows simple directions
2–3 years : Enjoys being read to; points to pictures when asked; refers to self by name
3 years : Understands and uses simple verbs, pronouns, prepositions and adjectives, such as go, me, in and big; uses complete sentences much of the time
4 years : Able to give a connected account of some recent experiences; able to carry out a sequence of two directions
5 years : Can carry on a conversation with adults; sentence structure mostly matches the patterns of child’s family; speech is intelligible, with a few mispronounced sounds
Facilities We Provide
Complete audiological evaluation including
- OAE
- ABR / BERA
- Behavioural observational audiometry (BOA)
- Visual reinforcement audiometry (VRA)
- Unaided & Aided audiometry
- Speech Audiometry
Radiological Evaluations
Cochlear implant surgery
Post-implant MAPping
Habilitation (Therapy)
Exclusive 24 hours blood bank
About Our ENT Doctors In Mumbai
Ms. Prajakta Bhogte Satavase
Consultant Audiologist & Speech-Language Therapist, Cochlear implant re/Habilitation Specialist
Qualifications
BASLP – B.Y.L.Nair Hospital, Mumbai
MASLP – AYJNIHH, Mumbai
Dr Kashmira P.Chavan
Full Time Consultant- ENT Surgeon, Cochlear Implants & Voice Consultant
Qualifications
DNB (ENT) – P.D.Hinduja National Hospital & Medical Research Center, Mumbai.
MBBS – Padmashree Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Navi Mumbai – Maharashtra University of Health Sciences.
Ms. Komal Renuke
Full time-Consultant Audiologist & Speech Therapist, Voice Therapist Specialist in Laryngectomee Rehabilitation.
Qualifications
BASLP – AYJNIHH Maharashtra University Of Health Sciences (MUHS)
MASLP – AYJNIHH Maharashtra University Of Health Sciences (MUHS)
SLR – Manipal University
What Our Patients Says About Us
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Locate Us
Address
Hill Side Avenue, Hiranandani Gardens,
Powai, Mumbai – 400 076.