<p>The Defence Research and Development Organisation will launch cost-effective implants for children with hearing disabilities by July 2012, announced Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, former President at a conference on Saturday.<br /><br /></p>.<p>He attended a conference on Transcanal Technique for Cochlear Implants held at BLK Super Speciality Hospital, Delhi. Kalam called for a movement against hearing disability with the help of latest scientific technology and involvement of stakeholders in the public and private sector.<br /><br /> “Hundreds of patients will benefit from these cost-effective cochlear implants as the cost of such implants comes to anywhere between 7-10 lakh. We aim to reach to the needy in this country who cannot afford such expensive treatment,” said Kalam. <br /><br />Dr Kalam had initiated the concept when he was serving as the President of India and Dr Vijender Rao, senior scientist with DRDO has achieved success after working on this project for past six years. <br /><br />According to estimates, there are one million profoundly deaf people. Over 1.2 million with severe hearing disability, 0.9 million with moderate and 7.1 million people with mild hearing disability live in India. “Deafness is slowly becoming a thing of the past. The transcanal technique for cochlear implants is not time-consuming and has reduced complications. The cost has reduced by 80 per cent in comparison with the conventional procedure,” said Dr J M Hans, department of ENT and Cochlear Implantation, BLK hospital. <br /><br />He added that the new implants to be introduced by the government will cost around Rs 1.5-2 lakh - and have their limitations. <br /><br />“But on the bright side, parents who are unable to get their child treated due to financial constraints will be able to breath a sigh of relief,” he added. <br /><br />Stem Transplant<br />Two-year-old Karthik Bhatia, has started saying words such as Mama, Pa and aao (come) after his brain stem transplant, done in September 2011. <br /><br />“Earlier he could not respond to anything. But now he listens to us when we call out his name. I am keeping my fingers crossed and hope to see my child talk someday,” said Shahi Bhatia, his mother. <br /><br />Karthik's parents have spent Rs 14 lakh for his operation but are happy that their child will become function independently.<br /><br />“Brain stem transplant is a unique technique where a tiny electrode is applied to the brainstem. A small microphone placed in the outer speech processor receives the sound and imparts sensation to the implanted device. We have seen 100 per cent success rate in such cases so far,” explained Hans. <br /></p>
<p>The Defence Research and Development Organisation will launch cost-effective implants for children with hearing disabilities by July 2012, announced Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, former President at a conference on Saturday.<br /><br /></p>.<p>He attended a conference on Transcanal Technique for Cochlear Implants held at BLK Super Speciality Hospital, Delhi. Kalam called for a movement against hearing disability with the help of latest scientific technology and involvement of stakeholders in the public and private sector.<br /><br /> “Hundreds of patients will benefit from these cost-effective cochlear implants as the cost of such implants comes to anywhere between 7-10 lakh. We aim to reach to the needy in this country who cannot afford such expensive treatment,” said Kalam. <br /><br />Dr Kalam had initiated the concept when he was serving as the President of India and Dr Vijender Rao, senior scientist with DRDO has achieved success after working on this project for past six years. <br /><br />According to estimates, there are one million profoundly deaf people. Over 1.2 million with severe hearing disability, 0.9 million with moderate and 7.1 million people with mild hearing disability live in India. “Deafness is slowly becoming a thing of the past. The transcanal technique for cochlear implants is not time-consuming and has reduced complications. The cost has reduced by 80 per cent in comparison with the conventional procedure,” said Dr J M Hans, department of ENT and Cochlear Implantation, BLK hospital. <br /><br />He added that the new implants to be introduced by the government will cost around Rs 1.5-2 lakh - and have their limitations. <br /><br />“But on the bright side, parents who are unable to get their child treated due to financial constraints will be able to breath a sigh of relief,” he added. <br /><br />Stem Transplant<br />Two-year-old Karthik Bhatia, has started saying words such as Mama, Pa and aao (come) after his brain stem transplant, done in September 2011. <br /><br />“Earlier he could not respond to anything. But now he listens to us when we call out his name. I am keeping my fingers crossed and hope to see my child talk someday,” said Shahi Bhatia, his mother. <br /><br />Karthik's parents have spent Rs 14 lakh for his operation but are happy that their child will become function independently.<br /><br />“Brain stem transplant is a unique technique where a tiny electrode is applied to the brainstem. A small microphone placed in the outer speech processor receives the sound and imparts sensation to the implanted device. We have seen 100 per cent success rate in such cases so far,” explained Hans. <br /></p>
