PGI Chandigarh Performs Bilateral Cochlear Implants on 7-Month-Old Infant

PGIMER Chandigarh has achieved a significant milestone by successfully performing simultaneous bilateral cochlear implantation on a seven-month-old infant, among the youngest such procedures reported in India. The surgery was conducted by the Department of Otolaryngology and led by Prof Ramandeep Singh Virk, with support from the audiology, rehabilitation, anaesthesia and ENT teams. The achievement highlights the growing importance of early hearing intervention in infants and the ability of public healthcare institutions to provide advanced cochlear implant services at a very young age, according to The Tribune report.

DES-- Healthcare experts emphasise that childhood hearing loss can significantly affect speech, language, learning and overall development when treatment is delayed. Early screening, accurate diagnosis and timely cochlear implantation, where clinically indicated, followed by structured rehabilitation, can improve opportunities for children to develop age-appropriate listening and communication skills. PGIMER said it remains committed to strengthening comprehensive cochlear and auditory brainstem implant care through early diagnosis, specialised surgery, objective intraoperative assessment, evidence-based programming and long-term auditory rehabilitation.