Pune: Sassoon Hospital to soon start cochlear implant surgery

Deaf and mute children can now get treated at Sassoon General Hospital in Pune. The hospital has started cochlear implant surgery. Cochlear implant surgery is more useful in congenitally deaf and mute children and those not benefitting from hearing aid

Sassoon General Hospital will soon be starting cochlear implant surgeries under the Central Government Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of Aids/Appliances (ADIP) scheme.

The surgeries will be performed with the guidance of Padma Shri Dr Milind Kirtane, an Indian surgeon of international repute and a pioneer of cochlear implant surgery in India and Dr Avinash Wachasunder, along with the Department of E.N.T at Sassoon General Hospital

A state of the art audiology set-up has also been developed to support this programme.

Dr Samir Joshi, professor and head of ENT (ear, nose, throat) department and vice-dean of post-graduate studies at BJ Medical College, said,  “Cochlear implant surgery is more useful in congenitally deaf and mute children and those not benefitting from hearing aid. We can integrate these children into the mainstream of society and make them self-sufficient that will reduce the burden on a family.”

Dr Joshi added, “It also improves social, mental and educational progress of the child. This will also give them social identity and a better chance for equality with others. Parents are requested to get more information from the Department of E.N.T (OPD No. 70 from 10.00am to 1.00pm) at Sassoon Hospital.”

Dr Samir Joshi and his team which include Dr Rahul Telang, Dr Sanjaykumar Sonawale, Dr Rahul Thakur, Audiologist Mugdha Ambulkar, Sunil Patil, and Mohammed Sufiyaan Tamboli have taken special efforts for this programme.

Ex-Dean, Dr Ajay Chandanwale, Dean Dr Sudhir Nanandkar, Dr Tambe, Medical Superintendent, Dr Ajay Tawre have made their valuable contribution to this programme.