Finding the Courage: Our Journey to Ishaan's Cochlear Implant

Early Diagnosis and Therapy in Calicut

My son Ishaan K. T. was diagnosed with profound hearing loss when he was just an infant. Born and raised in Calicut, Kerala, his rehabilitation started early: he received hearing aids and began speech therapy at 8 months old. He started at WISH (Welcare Institute of Speech and Hearing, Calicut) under therapist Sreeranjini, followed by several other dedicated professionals.

In 2016, our family—my wife Sangeetha and my parents, Velayudhan and Sandhya—stayed near AIISH (All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysore) for nearly 20 days for tests and therapy. Back then, cochlear implants were not recommended to us.

Facing the Fear and Hesitation

Through our family friend Sathi Madam from Medical College, Calicut, we connected with top doctors, and we also visited Dr. Manoj’s ENT Super Speciality in East Hill, where surgery was first advised.

My mother, Sandhya (who is no longer with us), often told us to look at the children thriving after cochlear implant surgery under Kerala’s Sruthitharangam scheme. Yet, fear driven by confusing internet forums and uncertainty held us back. Looking back today, we regret delaying the decision.

The Turning Point

As Ishaan entered his late childhood (now 10+ years old), hearing aids were no longer sufficient for his speech comprehension. In 2023, my wife took a resolute stance: we needed to go ahead with the implant.

We revisited Dr. Manoj. While late implantation poses unique challenges, after an in-depth discussion, he agreed to proceed. Encouragement from Hassan Sir and colleagues at CRC, Sana (Ishaan’s therapist at WISH), Dr. Anusha and Dr Nidhun gave our family the final burst of courage.

Choosing MED-EL and the Outcome

After evaluating the three leading global brands—MED-EL, Cochlear, and Advanced Bionics—we selected MED-EL.

Surgery Date: 26th August 2024 (Dr. Manoj's ENT, Calicut)

Device: MED-EL Rondo 3

Switch-on Date: 16th September 2024

Seeing Ishaan today reassures us that we made the right choice. He is doing far better in his daily communication, reminding us that it is never too late to take a brave step for your child.

Our heartfelt thanks go to Dr. Manoj and his entire team. If you are planning to go for cochlear implant surgery, I wholeheartedly recommend him for his profound experience, knowledge, and surgical skill.

If you or your loved ones are facing a similar situation and have questions, please feel free to reach out. Having gone through this entire journey, our family is happy to share what we learned and help you make an informed decision without any pressure.