Miracle Technology Brings Hearing to Deaf Children and Adults

COLOMBO: The internationally acclaimed cochlear implant technology is now available in Sri Lanka at Apollo and Durdans Hospitals in Colombo.

This technology, developed more than 23 years ago by Australian biotechnology company, and implant industry leader, Cochlear Limited, has given hearing to more than 100,000 adults and children around the world with a severe to profound hearing loss.

Nineteen Sri Lankans have received the technology from clinics in Sri Lanka. A cochlear implant is a routine medical option designed to help children and adults with at least a moderate-to-profound hearing loss.

It is an alternative when traditional attempts such as powerful hearing aids, no longer provide assistance. Unlike hearing aids, which amplify sound, a cochlear implant bypasses the damaged part of the ear and stimulates the hearing nerve directly.

Implant surgery today is a routine medical procedure that usually takes a few hours. The "switch on" of the speech processor occurs around three weeks after surgery.

The progress of Cochlear Implantation in Sri Lanka will be celebrated with a weekend of activities starting June 23. The events include, live Cochlear Implant surgery workshop for ENT consultants at Durdans Hospital, A Cochlear Implant recipients gathering at Apollo Hospital, a celebration dinner at Gall Face Hotel for ENT and other medical professionals, members of the business community and well-wishers.