Madhuja Ray, a 4-year-old girl from Cooch Behar, West Bengal is the first recipient of a cochlear implant in her city. She had been using hearing aids since the tender age of 3 years and was recently operated by the ENT surgeon, Dr. Manusrut from Yashoda Hospitals Hyderabad. A cochlear implant is a surgically implanted electronic device that restores hearing in severe to profoundly deaf individuals. The implant helps infants & toddlers with hearing disabilities, to listen & learn how to speak.

After thorough evaluation including CT & MRI of the ear, Madhuja underwent the complex procedure in which the cochlear implant from Advanced Bionics (USA) Hi-Res Ultra with Slim-J electrode was used.  Post-operation, she was under observation and after recovery, a Speech processor was activated for her to start hearing sounds. She will further undergo rigorous speech therapy for sustenance and adapting to the implants.

Children with cochlear implants can be easily integrated into mainstream schools, adapt to a routine lifestyle, and live comfortably in a social environment.