The Aryavarth Express
Agency(Pune): The Command Hospital (Southern Command) in Pune has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first government hospital in India to procure and successfully perform piezoelectric bone conduction hearing implants. This medical advancement was demonstrated on two patients: a seven-year-old boy with congenital ear anomalies and severe hearing loss, and an adult suffering from Single Sided Deafness (SSD).
The ENT department at Command Hospital, a recognized Neurotology center under the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS), has been providing implantable hearing solutions for some time. The piezoelectric bone conduction hearing implant is designed for patients who experience conductive loss, including those with aural atresia, mixed hearing loss, or SSD, who are not suitable candidates for cochlear implants and have not benefited from conventional hearing aids or middle ear surgeries.
Given the high cost associated with such advanced medical devices, their availability has been limited. However, recognizing the need to enhance auditory capabilities, particularly for achieving better academic and social integration outcomes for affected individuals, the Armed Forces Medical Services moved swiftly to incorporate this technology.
The successful implantations were conducted by Lt Col (Dr) Rahul Kurkure, a Neurotologist and Implant Surgeon, under the guidance of Col (Dr) Nitu Singh, Senior Advisor and Head of the ENT Department. Command Hospital Pune, led by Maj Gen B Nambiar and recently awarded the prestigious “Raksha Mantri” trophy for excellence in service, continues to set benchmarks in medical care within the AFMS framework.
Lt Gen Daljit Singh, Director General of the Armed Forces Medical Services, and Lt Gen Arindam Chatterjee, Director General of Medical Services (Army), have extended their congratulations to the Command Hospital team, anticipating further achievements in the future.