The life of three years old Shanaya has changed. She was suffering with congenital hearing loss, which could have led her to be deaf and dumb for rest of her life.
But doctors at Rajasthan University of Health Sciences (RUHS) in Jaipur came as angels for her. They performed advanced cochlear implant surgery – first time in Rajasthan – improving the possibilities of her hearing and subsequently developing speech.
What is the surgery?
For the first time in the state, an advanced NEXA Smart Cochlear Implant surgery was performed successfully.
This complex surgery was successfully carried out by a team of ENT specialists including Dr. Mohanish Grover, Dr. Raghav Mehta, Dr. Rashmi Agarwal and Dr. Ambika Deora. The entire surgical team performed the procedure with advanced technology and careful planning. Cochlear implant surgery is considered technically challenging because it requires extremely precise work at a microscopic level.
The anaesthesia team included Dr. Varun, Dr. Manish, Dr. Kothari, Dr. Pratima, Dr. Satveer, Dr. Omji and Dr. Mohit.
Naresh Kumar Goyal, Commissioner, Medical Education Department, Rajasthan, said that this initiative is highly commendable and represents an important step towards strengthening advanced medical services in the state.
RUHS Principal Dr. Vinod Joshi expressed happiness over the achievement and said that such an advanced cochlear implant is the testimony of the fact that RUHS has world‑class healthcare facilities.
Senior ENT specialist Dr. Mohanish Grover explained that this is a highly advanced type of cochlear implant equipped with several modern technological features.
“This technology not only provides better hearing experience but also remains compatible with future technological upgrades. With this implant, patients can experience improved sound quality, better clarity and enhanced speech understanding, significantly improving their quality of life,” he said.
What is NEXA Smart Cochlear Implant?
• The implant contains the Nexos chip, making it one of the most advanced smart cochlear implants in the world with high‑speed processing capability and improved sound quality.
• It includes SmartNav technology which helps confirm the correct placement and functionality of the implant during surgery, making the procedure safer and more precise.
• It is the first implant with built‑in internal memory that securely stores the patient's mapping data, simplifying follow‑ups and adjustments.
• The system supports firmware upgrades similar to smartphones, allowing continuous technological updates.
• Patients can benefit from future technological improvements through simple upgrades.
• Mapping data can be transferred to the sound processor in just 20 seconds, reducing repeated hospital visits.
• The sound processor offers longer battery life compared with many other implants, making daily use more convenient.
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