In a medical breakthrough in Rajasthan, doctors at Rajasthan University of Health Sciences (RUHS) successfully implanted an artificial intelligence-based smart cochlear implant in the ear of a three-year-old girl, marking the first such procedure performed at a government hospital in the state.
AI-Based Cochlear Implant Gives Hearing Hope to 3-Year-Old Girl at Rajasthan University of Health Sciences
According to Dr Mohnish Grover, senior professor in the ENT department, the surgery lasted nearly three hours and was successfully completed. The child is currently stable and doctors expect that she could begin hearing and speaking within about 21 days as the implant starts functioning and therapy begins.
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Doctors said the young patient had been suffering from congenital hearing impairment, which severely affected her ability to hear and develop speech normally. Initially, she could sense certain sounds, but after the age of two she gradually lost the ability to hear completely.
The AI-powered cochlear implant uses advanced sound-processing technology
The AI-powered cochlear implant uses advanced sound-processing technology that significantly improves sound clarity. The device includes a high-speed processing chip designed to enhance the quality of sound signals transmitted to the auditory nerve.
According to doctors, the internal implant placed inside the ear can function for nearly 30 years, while the external sound processor battery can last up to three years, making it a long-term solution for patients with severe hearing loss.
The device also features smart nerve technology, which helps surgeons determine the precise placement of the implant during surgery, increasing accuracy and improving patient outcomes.
Another advanced feature of the implant is its internal memory system, which can store the patient’s hearing data and mapping information. Doctors said the system can also be updated periodically, similar to smartphone software updates, allowing future improvements in sound processing.
Medical experts believe this successful procedure could open new possibilities for treating hearing-impaired children in government hospitals across Rajasthan, making advanced hearing restoration technologies more accessible to patients from different socio-economic backgrounds.
