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March 1, 2006
Orphan girl to get cochlear implant
Katrina Mercy is one among the approximately five people born deaf in every thousand. Possibly abandoned by parents at birth, she was lucky enough to get temporary guardians through the Children's Mission Charitable Trust.
The five-year-old will also undergo a cochlear implant soon at the KKR ENT Hospital that would restore hearing. Thanks to a sponsor in the United Kingdom.
In cochlear implant, an internal component will be planted and an external component will be worn over the ear. The prices of models range between five and nine lakh rupees.
Katrina is among the lucky few to receive the benefits of a technology that is just above a decade old in the country.
Ravi Ramalingam at the KKR Hospital estimates that there could be one to three million people in the country who would require the implant.
Dr. Ramalingam hopes that the initiation of the process to design an Indian model at the DRDO, Vishakapatnam, will bear fruit soon. "Prices could crash after that making the technology more affordable," he speculates.
Meanwhile, Katrina also has a tonsillitis surgery also ahead of her. If the implant is done successfully, she could be speaking within a year-and-a-half.
http://www.hindu.com/2006/02/27/stories/2006022713870500.htm
Posted by 4HL on March 1, 2006 2:50 AM
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