Why to Come to India for Cochlear Implant Surgery?

Cochlear implant is an electronic device, which is surgically placed for people who are significantly hearing impaired. The cochlear implant is also called bionic ear because of sensory hair cells in the cochlea. Cochlear implant surgery can bring back sufficient hearing that can lead to unaided understanding of speech in a background where there is no noise. However, it is not as good as normal hearing. It helps the individual understand musical melody on a limited scale, or speech in noisy surrounding.

 Who can benefit?

People who have moderate to severe level of hearing impairment, cannot benefit from hearing aids, have a score less than 50% in sentence recognition tests, or have a score less than 60% with hearing aids.

Thus, individuals having a severe sensorineural hearing impairment in both ears having survived for a short time without hearing, equivalent to 70+ decibel hearing loss can be prescribed cochlear implant surgery.

Procedure prior to surgery

Before the patient undergoes this surgery, they are screed for suitability for the surgery. There are multiple reasons that cause success or failure of the surgery.

Cochlear implant surgery scenario in India

India has experienced a spurt in the number of patients coming to India for cochlear implant surgery. The people mainly belong to the Middle East (Iran, Oman) and a small number of countries in the western world.

There are many things that make cochlear implant a success. Cochlear implant centres can find how far the individual is suitable. This includes checking the individual's hearing history, amount of residual hearing, factors that cause hearing loss, general health condition and family's willingness to help in rehabilitation.

The procedure

Cochlear implant is surgically placed with due administration of general anesthesia. The surgical procedure spans over three to five hours.

First, a tiny area on the scalp exactly behind the ear is shaved and washed clean. A small incision is then open on the skin behind the ear and the surgeon makes a whole mastoid bone and the inner ear where an array of electrodes is inserted into the cochlear area. The individual needs to stay in hospital for one to two days.

Risks

Cochlear implant surgery carries multiple risks including infection in the skin, injury to the vestibular system, facial nerve injury and tinnitus.

Look for a medical tourism service provider

India is known for globally high quality hospitals and high proficient surgeons apart from service available at nominal cost. Choose a reputable service provider.

Before you come to India for the surgery, you will be examined with respect to your health condition. Prior to the surgery, every minor detail is collected including things such as raised toilet seats, shower tables, etc.

Healing of the surgical would last two weeks, and it may take longer in case of children. During the two weeks, the wound has to be kept dry.

If you buy the services of a medical tourism service provider, it ensures that you get the best results. Such a service provider understands your emotional need and can help you get the much needed solace.

Further, they take care of hygiene and security as well, and provide before and after surgery follow-up care service and they keep your data confidential under the standards of HIPPA.