Today is the 64th International Cochlear Implant Day

First surgery performed on 1957 to prevent congenital deafness in children, done free of charge under ADIP program of Government of India

Today is the 64th International Cochlear Implant Day and the first surgery performed on 1957 to prevent congenital deafness in children. It bring a revolution of hearing and speech in the lives of affected children. It is done free of cost under the ADIP programme run by Government of India.

Free cochlear implant facility is available at Singhania Dental and ENT Hospital in Vadodara under ADIP program of Government of India. Under the leadership of Dr. Professor Ankit Singhania, about 30 cochlear implants have been performed in the last 3 years. It may be mentioned that parents having a monthly income can get the benefit of this surgery free of cost for their affected children.

The first such operation was performed on 1957 and first cochlear implant procedure was performed on a deaf person in Poland by Professor Henrik Schurzensky was on 16th July 1992. International Cochlear Implant Day is held to spread awareness about this facility all over the world.

Dr. Singhania said that congenital deafness is found in four children per thousand. Since the child was originally deaf from birth and could not speak. After testing of deafness and OAE, this surgery is performed on them.

The child has to be given speech therapy for about two years after this surgery. Its cost including speech therapy in a private institution is Rs. 8 lakh. Under the above program of the Government of India, surgery is performed free of cost on the children of eligible families on the basis of income limit.

The day was celebrated at Singhania Hospital with children and their parents who have benefited from hearing aids and speech. Dr. Singhania informed that this day is celebrated to inform the parents of deaf children from birth about the option of this surgery. He said, hearing is a blessing of nature which gives words and lack of it makes life very painful. Giving them the power to hear and speak opens the door to a new world of possibilities for them.

This surgery is relatively simple, with very few complications. We are working on towards deafness free Vadodara. Screening camps are organized and the state health department is very supportive.

Giving the message of the above day, he said that it is their resolve that every needy child who is deaf from birth will get the benefit. They are running this campaign with the backing of the Government of India’s program.