Cochlear implantation surgery for children is free

By Our Special Correspondent

Cochlear implantation surgery was successfully performed at Rajahmundry Anjana Vaidalaya Multi Specialty Hospital on Sunday. Dr. S Aruna Kumar, head of the hospital, said that only in their hospital in Godavari districts, this surgery is done free of cost to children.

A free cochlear screening camp and awareness seminar was organized in the hospital premises.

Guntur-based Dr. Yarlagadda Subbarayudu and Dr. Arunakumar spoke to the media here on Sunday. Children with congenital hearing loss are unable to speak. However, due to advances in medical science, it is possible for children to hear sound by implanting an electrode into the cochlea (hearing device in the inner ear) in such children through cochlear implantation surgery.

Dr. Subbarayudu said that the baby's brain understands the sounds it hears, thereby increasing the chances of speaking. A patient can speak after a few months of speech therapy after surgery.

Disabled children below the age of 5 are said to benefit from this operation. He explained that if the problem is detected within three years, both ears can be improved simultaneously through bilateral cochlear implant surgery with the help of the Arogyasree scheme.

Dr. Subbaraidu and Dr. Arunakumar said that this operation, which is conducted at a cost of 12 lakhs, is being done completely free of charge under the YSR Arogyasree scheme at Anjana Vaidalaya Multispecialty Hospital.

They said that this surgery can be done free of charge for two years of children under three years of age and one ear of children between three to five years of age. They said many parents are unable to protect their children's future due to lack of awareness that this operation is free.