Date:20/03/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/03/20/stories/2006032005820500.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Efficient but expensive hearing aid coming soon

R. Sujatha

The implant is placed under the skin in the skull

CHENNAI: For those who find hearing aids uncomfortable, here is an option, though an expensive one.

People diagnosed with hearing loss in the middle ear may benefit from a device to be introduced here on April 15. The implant is placed under the skin in the skull and comes with a programming system, a charger and a remote control. It has been approved for use in Europe.

People dislike wearing hearing aids because of their distorted or poor sound quality, an inability to understand hear in noisy places, squealing sound in the device, sensitivity to loud sounds, discomfort in wearing and middle ear infection. The implant is meant for such people.

The new device comprises a capsule for electronics, a microphone system and the Middle Ear Transducer (MET). The electronics capsule is implanted under the skin behind the ear and includes a battery, a magnet, a sound processor and a connector for transducer. The MET is activated two months after implantation once the wound heals.

Discount offer

The microphone receives and processes the sound, sends it to middle ear transducer, which causes the three middle ear bones to move just as sound waves cause the eardrum to vibrate. The battery can be recharged for an hour even as one goes about his normal activities.

"The company introducing these implants will offer a discount for the first five patients at Rs. 2 lakh against the normal cost of Rs. 5.5 lakh," says Ravi Ramalingam, Managing Director, KKR ENT Hospital and Research Centre, Poonamallee High Road.

A specialist from the United States will assist him in performing the surgeries, which are expected to last two-three hours each.

The hospital also offers free stay and medicine to deserving patients. Free lifetime support will also be offered.