Chennai Doctors Perform Immediate Bilateral Cochlear Implants to Restore Hearing Lost to Post-COVID Complication
In a groundbreaking medical procedure, doctors at MGM Healthcare in Chennai have successfully performed simultaneous bilateral cochlear implants on a 35-year-old female IT professional. The innovative surgery involved activating both devices immediately after the operation, a significant departure from standard practice, to restore hearing that was lost due to a severe post-COVID complication.
Patient Profile and Medical Condition
The patient, a mother of two who manages virtual meetings at a multinational IT firm, developed auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder following her recovery from COVID-19. This condition occurs when sound reaches the cochlea but fails to transmit clearly to the brain, leading to progressive hearing loss. Over a period of six months, she experienced total deafness, severely impacting her professional and personal life.
Innovative Surgical Approach
Unlike traditional cochlear implantation procedures, which typically delay activation for days or even weeks to allow for healing, the surgical team at MGM Healthcare opted for an intraoperative activation strategy. During the six-hour surgery, surgeons switched on both implants immediately after placement. This approach bypasses damaged hair cells in the inner ear, directly stimulating the auditory nerve to restore auditory signals to the brain.
Dr. Sanjeev Mohanty, the ENT surgeon who led the procedure, emphasized the use of advanced technology to ensure precision and safety. The team employed smart navigation guidance systems, high-resolution microscopes, and facial nerve monitoring techniques. Additionally, minimal drilling was utilized to reduce trauma and promote faster recovery.
Recovery and Rehabilitation
The patient was discharged from the hospital within 48 hours of the surgery, a testament to the minimally invasive nature of the procedure. However, achieving full speech comprehension will require an intensive rehabilitation period of two to three months. Dr. Mohanty explained that even with immediate activation, the brain needs time to adapt to the electrical signals generated by the implants.
Speech comprehension after cochlear implantation, even with immediate activation, requires weeks to months because the brain must adapt to the implant's unnatural electrical signals through intensive rehabilitation, he noted.
Significance and Broader Implications
Auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder accounts for approximately 5% of non-age-related hearing loss cases in India. It is sometimes linked to post-viral effects, including those from COVID-19, highlighting the importance of this case in the context of the ongoing pandemic. The successful outcome of this surgery not only offers hope to individuals suffering from similar conditions but also sets a new benchmark in otolaryngology practices.
The procedure underscores the potential of immediate activation in bilateral cochlear implants to enhance patient outcomes and reduce overall recovery time. As medical technology continues to evolve, such innovations are paving the way for more effective treatments for hearing loss and related disorders.
