Cochlear implants are electronic medical devices that replace the function of the damaged inner ear. Unlike hearing aids, which make sounds louder, cochlear implants mimic the work of damaged parts of the inner ear (cochlea) to provide sound signals to the brain. Cochlear implants bypass damaged hair cells in the inner ear and directly stimulate auditory nerve endings with the electrical impulses using an array of implanted electrodes. It is designed for people whose hearing does not improve with surgical correction or with the use of a hearing aid.

The Cochlear Implant Unit focuses to improve the quality of life of children with bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss by facilitating hearing and communication. We work with children who are considering cochlear implants (either under the Government funded scheme “Sruthitharangam” or self-assisted) and those who have undergone implantation. The unit functions as a team which includes audiologists, speech-language pathologists, psychologists, auditory-verbal therapists, and ENT surgeon. Patients who are considering cochlear implantation undergo pre-implant counselling and a complete evaluation of the child’s auditory, speech and language skills to ensure that they meet the candidacy criteria. The other evaluations include medical and audiological testing and psychological and cognitive evaluations as and when required. Children who underwent cochlear implantation are seen in the mapping unit for follow up post-implant counselling and mapping sessions. Children who undergo Auditory Verbal Therapy are assessed for auditory, speech and language skills on a 3 months period and appropriate remedial strategies are recommended.

NISH serves as the nodal agency for the Sruthitharangam Cochlear Implant Project funded by the Government of Kerala. NISH is involved in an audiological review of the selected candidates under the scheme, conducting training programs to improve the expertise of audiologists and auditory verbal therapists involved in the project.

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A person with hearing loss which cannot be surgically or medically corrected is rehabilitated with amplification devices. Hearing aids are amplification devices which serve to amplify the acoustic signal to a level which is audible to the hearing-impaired listener. Hearing aids do not restore hearing ability but they boost up the signal so that the hearing impaired listener is able to use up his/ her residual hearing to hear the amplified signal. Though initially hearing aid technology was analogue based, with the advent of technology, digital technology is implemented in today’s hearing aids.

At NISH, once the patient is identified with hearing loss which is medically or surgically incurable, the patient is referred for hearing aid trial and fitting. Hearing aids are available in different styles including Behind the Ear hearing aids (standard BTE, mini BTE, open fit type BTE), Receiver In the Ear, In the Canal, In The Ear, Completely in the Canal, Pocket level hearing aids etc. Digital hearing aids from world-class hearing aid manufacturers are available at NISH at concessional rates.

Hearing aid selection and fitting is based on objective and subjective measures. Free field Aided thresholds, speech measures are utilized for assessing functional benefit with hearing aid. In addition, NISH is equipped with Hearing aid analyzer and Real Ear measurement systems for objective evaluation of the hearing aid performance.

After the purchase of hearing aids, the hearing aid user is oriented and counselled regarding the care and maintenance of hearing aids. Availability of facilities for reprogramming in cases of programmable hearing aids and servicing of hearing aid provides the hearing aid users with good after sale services.

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“Accurate diagnosis is the key to effective rehabilitation”. 

Hearing evaluation at NISH is carried out using state-of-art audiologic tests equipments by qualified professionals. Catering a wide range of population including neonates to geriatrics, the hearing evaluation includes both subjective and objective measures.

Sound treated rooms compliant to international standards for audiologic test set up are maintained and utilized at NISH for hearing evaluation.  Once the diagnosis is formulated, detailed counselling regarding the diagnosis, habilitation/ rehabilitation/ follow ups are given to the patient/ caretaker. Nominal rates are charged for each test. 

Tests available in the Department

• • Pure Tone Audiometry
  • Speech Audiometry
  • Behavioral Observation Audiometry / Conditioned Play Audiometry / Visual Reinforcement Audiometry
  • Immittance Audiometry
  • Oto Acoustic Emissions- Screening/ Diagnostics
  • Auditory Brainstem Responses (BERA)
  • Auditory Steady State Responses (ASSR)
  • Evoked potentials including MLR, LLR
  • Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (VEMP)
  • Special tests for differential diagnosis.

Things to note before appearing for a hearing evaluation:

• • The hearing evaluations are based on prior appointment.
  • Clinic timings are from 8.30 AM - 4.30 PM
  • Hearing evaluation is based on an appointment system which can be taken through telephone/ in person.
  • For paediatrics, we request the parents to carry a prescription of sedation dosage from a physician since the objective measures of hearing evaluation require the child to be sedated.
  • Before appearing for a hearing evaluation, it would be best if you can pay a visit to ENT physician and get an ENT clearance.
  • Kindly bring all relevant available medical records and evaluation reports.
  • Kindly appear for the test in time and avoid testing when you suffer from any contagious disease.

 For appointments contact: + 91 471 2944666

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