Imagine a world where once familiar sounds fade away, replaced by a deafening silence. This was the reality for a young Nigerian woman named Lina (name changed) who experienced a life-altering change after a viral infection in 2020. The infection ravaged her hearing, leading to profound deafness in both ears. Determined to reclaim her ability to hear, Lina embarked on a journey to Fortis Hospital Bannerghatta Road in Bengaluru, India, where a team of specialists gifted her with a second chance at hearing through a successful bilateral cochlear implant surgery.
From Vibrant Life to Devastating Silence
Lina’s life was once filled with the rich tapestry of sound. But everything changed in 2020. A seemingly ordinary viral fever had a devastating consequence – progressive hearing loss. The once vibrant sounds of life slowly faded, leaving her in a world of silence. This profound hearing loss, medically termed Bilateral Profound Sensorineural Hearing Loss, significantly impacted her daily activities and stole the joy of communication.
Seeking Hope: A Life-Changing Journey to India
Unwilling to accept her new reality, Lina, along with her supportive family, decided to seek expert medical intervention. Their search for a solution led them to Fortis Hospital Bannerghatta Road, a beacon of hope for those seeking advanced medical care.
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Advanced Cochlear Implant Surgery Offers a Path Forward
Upon arrival at Fortis Hospital, Lina underwent a thorough evaluation by a team of specialists. The diagnosis confirmed their fears – her hearing loss was severe and wouldn’t respond to traditional hearing aids. However, there was hope. Given Lina’s strong desire to hear again and her past experience with normal hearing, Dr. H K Susheen Dutt, a senior consultant ENT, cochlear implant, and skull base surgeon at Fortis Hospital, recommended bilateral cochlear implant surgery.
Bilateral Cochlear Implantation: A Technological Marvel
This minimally invasive procedure involves implanting a tiny device in each ear. The implant directly stimulates the auditory nerve, allowing the recipient to perceive sound. Dr. Dutt explained the advantages of performing the surgery on both ears simultaneously: “While traditionally cochlear implants are done one ear at a time, Lina’s case benefitted from bilateral implantation. This approach offers a more natural hearing experience, improved sound localization, and better speech comprehension in noisy environments. Additionally, considering Lina’s travel distance from Nigeria, bilateral surgery minimized the need for multiple procedures.”
A Successful Surgery and a Brighter Future
The complex surgery, lasting approximately 9 hours, was a success. Lina recovered well and was discharged from the hospital five days later. Now back in Nigeria, she is undergoing auditory verbal rehabilitation, a process that helps retrain the brain to interpret the signals received from the cochlear implants. Her prior experience with normal hearing is aiding her progress significantly, making the rehabilitation process smoother and more effective.
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Fortis Hospital: A Global Leader in Advanced Healthcare
Lina’s story is a testament to the advancements in medical technology and the expertise of medical professionals at Fortis Hospital. Mr. Akshay Oleti, Business Head of Fortis Hospitals Bengaluru, highlighted the hospital’s commitment to providing advanced medical care to patients from all over the world: “This successful surgery showcases our dedication to offering transformative healthcare experiences for international patients. We are proud to be a part of Lina’s journey in regaining her hearing and hope her story inspires others facing similar challenges. At Fortis Bannerghatta, we are committed to empowering lives through compassionate care and the expertise of our highly skilled team.”
Lina’s regained hearing is more than just restored sound; it’s a renewed sense of hope and a chance to reconnect with the world around her. Her story serves as an inspiration to others facing hearing loss, demonstrating that even in the face of profound silence, advanced medical interventions can offer the gift of sound and a brighter future.