Discussing Cochlear Implants with Deaf Leader

Language Deprivation Syndrome Lecture

Though this lecture is for an hour,for professionals working with hearing impaired- its an eye opener.I am speechless..I should say..

I have learnt Hindi as my mother tongue L1 and went ahead to learn Marathi,English,Telugu,Kannada...now I want to learn Indian Sign Language.When I say learn and speak,I learnt grammar and vocabulary of these languages.
I can understand and speak few words of Malayalam,Tamil,Gujarati,Punjabi and Bengali being with friends.In our field,we say incidental learning of another language.

Presently,in my opinion- it's almost impossible to convince hearing parents about signing!I hope they educate themselves about the advantage of bilingualism.The best change to learn language for these children born to normal hearing parents is to diagnose them at birth and amplify by 6 months,at least with a hearing aid. 

Cochlear Implant Surgeon learns from Cochlear Implant Engineers:Sharing a wonderful talk by Prof. Rahul Sarpeshkar

Though we as Surgeons counsel patients for surgeries and read about implants,talks like these are very informative.This helps me to understand implants better and give proper information to patients or parents.
We have to remember that once inserted,Cochlear Implant is a lifetime commitment.

Hearing loss and deafness treatment-Role of Cochlear Implants

Hearing loss can be classified as conductive or Sensorineural or mixed.
It can also be temporary or permanent or progressive.

How do we hear?

The sounds are collected by outer ear pinna and carried through the ear canal.This vibrates the eardrum and the tiny bones of hearing in turn.These vibrations are carried to the inner ear or Cochlea where it is converted to electrical impulses and finally carried to brain through nerve of hearing.The auditory area of brain interprets the sound.


If there is a disease or problem in outer or middle ear,usually its conductive hearing loss.For example ear wax or middle ear fluid.
If the disease spreads from middle ear to inner ear,it causes mixed hearing loss.

Sensorineural hearing loss occurs if the infection involves inner ear or deafness from birth due to various causes.
Clinical examination and audiological tests helps us to diagnose.Sometimes we may need scans-HRCT/MRI.

Depending on the diagnosis,treatment is planned.
For infection-medical treatment.
Middle ear fluid may need drainage.Chronic ear  diseases may need surgery.

The treatment of Sensorineural hearing loss also depends on diagnosis.If its Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss,it may need oral steroids as the cause is usually Viral.

However manytimes an MRI Scan is ordered to rule out other pathology.

Finally Sensorineural Hearing loss-Progressive or from birth

This may need fitting of hearing aids with auditory,speech and language therapy.

Most of the times children welcome the world of sound.Few take time to keep the hearing aids on for the daytime.The therapist and mother work on auditory and language training.

Cochlear Implants are for those children who do not do well with hearing aids.There are various audiological,radiological and social criterias for Cochlear Implantation.

A cochlear implantee attending auditory verbal therapy with mother.

Newborn Hearing screening