In this blog, I share the essential factors every parent should consider before choosing a cochlear implant centre and surgeon.
1. The Experience of the Cochlear Implant Surgeon
A cochlear implant is not a routine procedure – it is a life-changing one. Surgical experience matters. I have personally performed more than 200 cochlear implant surgeries, including the highest number of simultaneous bilateral (both ears at the same time) implants. What helps families feel reassured is that at my hospital, all aspects of care – counselling, imaging, surgery and follow-up – happen under one roof.
Parents often tell me that knowing I operate in my own hospital and remain available before, during, and after the surgery brings a tremendous sense of comfort. When your child is undergoing such a significant procedure, continuity of care is invaluable.
2. Minimizing the Surgical Scar
One aspect parents rarely think about initially is the cosmetic outcome of the surgical scar. Yet, this small detail makes a big difference. During my training under Padma Shri Dr. Kirtane Sir, I learned a refined technique that results in a much smaller, cleaner scar.
Unfortunately, I have seen many children from other centres with large, poorly healed scars where hair does not grow back well. My approach focuses on precision, softness of tissue handling, and careful closure so that the scar heals beautifully and becomes barely noticeable over time.
3. Choosing the Right Cochlear Implant Device
Because a cochlear implant stays inside the body for life, selecting the right implant is crucial.
Processor Type: For children, I strongly recommend on-the-ear processors because they offer better stability, clearer sound quality, and multiple microphones – important during the early hearing-learning years. Examples include:
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Sky CI M90 (Advanced Bionics): sturdy, child-friendly, excellent in noisy environments like schools and playgrounds
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Nucleus NAE D (Cochlear): lightweight, user-friendly, with strong connectivity features
Customization: Every child’s cochlea is unique. CT scans and MRI imaging guide us in choosing the right electrode based on cochlear shape and cochlear nerve calibre.
Counselling & Demo: My team offers a detailed counselling session where parents can compare processors and even experience how their child will hear using technology like the Roger wireless microphone system.
MRI Compatibility: Families must ensure the implant is MRI safe, ideally 3T compatible, to avoid magnet removal or re-surgery in the future.
Monitoring Progress: Parents are trained to use mobile apps to track progress and help their child practise hearing and speech.
4. Selecting the Right Cochlear Implant Centre
The centre you choose determines your child’s safety, comfort, and outcomes. At Dr. Rao’s ENT Hospital, CI surgeries are performed using a fully wireless and transparent system – unique in South India.
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Real-time nerve response: We measure the child’s nerve responses wirelessly during surgery, confirming correct functioning instantly.
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Precision: Using C-arm imaging, we verify electrode placement on the spot.
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Transparency: Parents are welcome to step into the operation theatre to witness these responses and see the implant being placed – something that reassures families deeply.
5. Post-Surgery Support
Cochlear implantation is not a one-day event; it is a long journey.
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Follow-up & Mapping: I personally review children during follow-up visits, and our audiologists fine-tune the implant through repeated mapping sessions.
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Rehabilitation: Our speech therapists work closely with each child to build listening, speaking, and comprehension skills.
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Long-Term Care: Parents receive training on device care, troubleshooting, and using digital tools to help the child practise daily.
Our goal is simple: to help every child hear well, grow confidently, and live life fully.
6. A Center of Excellence
Dr. Rao’s ENT Hospital is more than a treatment centre – it is a learning hub visited by surgeons from India and abroad for hands-on CI training, including specialized 532 and 632 electrode insertion workshops. We also hosted the first Asia Pacific Conference on Cochlear Implants by Advanced Bionics, where global experts trained and shared the latest techniques.
When parents choose a CI centre, they are not just choosing a surgery – they are choosing a lifelong partner in their child’s hearing journey. My commitment is to offer a place built on trust, experience, and innovation, where every child receives the best chance at a world full of sound. To know more, consult Hyderabad’s best Cochlear Implant surgeon, Dr. Shree Rao.
