Doctors at Kallakurichi Government Medical College and Hospital perform cochlear implant surgery on six children in a year
S. Anand Babu, 37, an employee of Aavin, from Mathur near Kallakurichi is happy to see his five-year-old son Kovegan call him 'Appa'. Earlier, the child did not respond when his name was called and was unresponsive to everyday sounds.
Born with bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss, the child could not speak till the age of four. But all that changed when he underwent free cochlear implant surgery under the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme at the Kallakurichi Government Medical College and Hospital (KGMCH) in 2024.
'When he was two-and-a-half years old, we realised that he was not responding to sounds. We took him to the Kallakurichi Government Medical College and Hospital where doctors performed a surgery on June 12, 2024. He is now slowly picking up words', says Mr. Anand Babu.
According to a doctor, the child, identified through newborn hearing screening, underwent thorough pre-operative evaluation, including BERA, MRI, and CT scans. The team led by Chennai-based expert otorhinolaryngologist Mohan Kameswaran performed the surgery with assistance from the local ENT team, and successfully implanted a multi-channel digital cochlear device.
The device was switched on after four weeks and regular auditory-verbal therapy was initiated. There was significant improvement in the child's auditory comprehension and he progressed from Level 0 (No awareness) to Level 5 (understands common phrases without lip reading).
Kovegan is among six children aged below five years suffering from profound hearing loss from Kallakurichi district, who have undergone surgery for cochlear implant. The first surgery was performed on Kovegan.
Picking up since then, the ENT team at KGMCH has completed six cochlear implants in the last one year. Another surgery is scheduled for June 18.
According to Professor Sowndararajan, Head, Department of ENT, KGMCH, 'The implants, which cost more than ₹4 lakh, are funded by the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme. Patients receive the entire surgery and post-operative treatment free of cost. At KGMCH, free screening is done for all newborns.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economic Times
an hour ago
- Economic Times
CMC Vellore doctor suggests 5 exercises to lower risk of heart attacks and strokes
Protecting the heart is crucial. Dr. Sudhir Kumar suggests combining aerobic and strength training exercises. Isometric exercises like planks can lower blood pressure. Yoga aids stress reduction and balances the nervous system. A blend of cardio, weights, and yoga is the winning formula. Netizens emphasize the need for a disciplined routine. Aerobics when coupled with other forms of exercises may help lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes. (Pic courtesy- istock. Image used for representative purpose only) Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Netizens react In today's fast-paced world, where stress levels are high and sedentary habits are the norm, protecting your heart has never been more crucial. While there's no magic pill to prevent heart disease or strokes, Hyderabad-based neurologist Dr. Sudhir Kumar believes a smart mix of workouts can work wonders—and he's breaking down what really to Dr. Kumar, combining different types of exercises—especially aerobic activities like running or brisk walking with strength training—is far more effective at reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes than any single form workouts are considered the gold standard for heart health , but adding resistance training into the mix enhances cardiovascular benefits even isometric exercises such as wall sits and planks, often overlooked, have been shown to significantly reduce blood pressure, especially in those already suffering from hypertension, a major risk factor for heart disease. These static exercises may not make you sweat, but they're proving to be quietly what about yoga? While it may not be the primary defence against heart disease, it still has an important role to play. Yoga supports stress reduction, improves blood pressure, and helps balance the autonomic nervous Dr. Kumar puts it, yoga works best when practised alongside other forms of physical activity, rather than as a standalone routine. In short, the winning formula for heart health isn't choosing between cardio or weights—it's blending them smartly. Throw in a bit of yoga for balance, and your heart will thank user emphasised that the human body, being a complex system, needs a disciplined routine that combines various forms of exercise. They noted that running forms the foundation for fitness, which can then be supported by strength training , isometric moves, and yoga. Another user echoed the sentiment, admitting that maintaining a structured regimen can be tricky. They shared that when they focus on long-distance running, other exercises often take a backseat, and skipping runs sometimes leads to skipping everything altogether.
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Tech CEO ditches Apple Watch, mutes Bryan Johnson for better sleep: ‘Caused more stress than it solved'
A California-based CEO says he has gotten rid of his health monitoring devices and muted age-obsessed founder Bryan Johnson for better sleep and less stress. Alex Finn, the CEO and founder of Creator Buddy, feels that tracking and monitoring every aspect of life has a detrimental effect on one's health. Alex Finn, CEO of Creator Buddy, is rejecting the culture of excessive tracking and optimization. 'Got rid of my Apple Watch. Got rid of my Whop. Got rid of my Oura ring. Muted Bryan Johnson,' Finn declared on social media. 'No more sleep scores. No more recovery scores. 'Optimizing every part of my life caused more stress than it solved,' he said. According to the California-based CEO, he is sleeping better after getting rid of his Apple Watch and various other health-tracking devices and muting Bryan Johnson. Bryan's Johnson's health regime Johnson is famous for his obsession with age-reversal, a quest that sees him spending upwards of $2 million a year on a team of doctors, devices, diet plans and supplements. He follows an intensely rigorous health and longevity regimen designed to reverse his biological age and optimize every facet of his well-being. Johnson's day involves circadian-aligned light therapy, temperature check, more than 100 pills, red light therapy, a strict exercise regime, frequent health measurements through blood biomarkers, body scans etc. He has a team of over 30 experts and hundreds of data points spanning MRI, metabolic tests, genetic markers in his quest for longevity. This is not the lifestyle that Alex Finn wants for himself. 'We've gone too far' Finn believes that in the coming years, people will want to lead a good old fashioned healthy lifestyle. The culture of tracking and optimization, he says, has gone too far. 'We've gone too far and I think once people realize 90% of this bro science we are all bought into is completely made up, most people will swing back to just trying to live a good, healthy life without trying to quantify every metric of their health,' wrote the CEO of Creator Buddy. He cited a recent study claiming that glass bottles have more microplastics than plastic bottles as an example of how even the things we think are healthier can be misleading or based on flawed assumptions. 'It's all made up,' wrote Finn, adding that his new optimization routine is basically working out once in a while and not eating too much ice cream. 'Life's a lot more fun when I don't have to hit 50 benchmarks a day to convince myself I'm healthy,' he concluded.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Which magnesium supplement is the BEST? A US doctor reveals
Navigating the world of magnesium supplements can be confusing, but understanding the different types is key. Gastroenterologist Dr. Joseph Salhab recommends magnesium glycinate for its bioavailability and benefits for anxiety, sleep, and muscle cramps. While magnesium oxide is poorly absorbed, other forms like citrate, L-threonate, and malate offer specific advantages, depending on individual needs. Which magnesium supplement is #1? If you have been tossing magnesium supplements into your cart without a second thought, you might be pinching your pocket, that too without any results. Choosing the right magnesium supplement is crucial because not all magnesium is absorbed the same way. Whether you are getting it to improve sleep, anxiety relief, muscle cramps, or overall wellness, choosing the wrong type could mean zero results. So, which magnesium supplement actually works? Well, let's turn to the experts for the solution. Dr. Joseph Salhab, a Florida-based gastroenterologist specializing in digestion, liver, pancreas, and nutrition, breaks it all down and reveals the most effective, science-backed option that really delivers. The role of magnesium Magnesium is an essential mineral that is responsible for over 300 bodily functions. Despite its importance, the role of magnesium is often overlooked, resulting in an estimated 15-20% magnesium deficiency even in developed countries. From calming the nerves after a long day to helping you sleep better, feel more energized, and keep your heart healthy, magnesium is essential for many vital functions of the body. A deficiency in this nutrient can lead to symptoms like fatigue, muscle cramps, and anxiety. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Tabletă Puternică la Preț Incredibil - Oferta Limitată! LUO Cumpără acum Undo When you cannot get the nutrients adequately through dietary intake, supplementation might be required. Dr. Salhab says that the best choice really depends on individual health needs. Let's take a look. Magnesium oxide Magnesium oxide is a common supplement. However, the doctor says that he does not recommend it, due to its limited effectiveness. It is an inorganic salt of magnesium formed with ions of magnesium and oxygen. This over-the-counter supplement is used to treat constipation, indigestion, and headaches. 'It's poorly absorbed and mainly used for really bad constipation, so I don't recommend using this for other than that,' the gut doctor said, in a video shared on Instagram. Magnesium citrate One of the more common magnesium supplements, this is taken orally to replenish low magnesium levels. It also has a laxative effect, hence sometimes used in higher doses to treat constipation. 'It's better absorbed, it gives a more gentle laxative effect, and this one's often used for supplementation,' the doctor shares. Magnesium glycinate (Pic courtesy: iStock) This supplement is formed from elemental magnesium and the amino acid glycine. Glycine is linked with improved sleep and is also effective for treating certain inflammatory conditions, including heart disease and diabetes. 'I personally take this one. It's really bioavailable, it's gentle on the stomach, and it's great for anxiety, sleep, and muscle cramps,' the doctor said. Salman Khan Drops Health Bombshell on National TV Magnesium L-threonate Magnesium L-threonate is often marketed for cognitive benefits, such as improved focus and memory, and to manage certain conditions, such as depression, Alzheimer's disease, and age-related memory loss. However, Dr. Salhab cautions that 'the evidence is limited.' More studies are needed to prove its effectiveness. Magnesium malate Magnesium malate has malic acid, which is well absorbed by the digestive tract. 'This one's used for muscle pain and fatigue, and it's slightly stimulating, so it's best not to use this one at bedtime,' the doctor suggested. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
