LASUTH CMD says implant surgery patients can now hear

The Chief Medical Director, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Ikeja, Prof. Wale Oke, said on Thursday that some individuals who had cochlear implant surgery could now hear.

Oke, who was represented by the Head, Training and Clinical Service, LASUTH, Dr Ayoade Adedokun, stated this at a news conference in Lagos.

He said that the cochlear implant surgery which was carried out in June had been switched on and started to function.

“With the help of the Lagos State Government and Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) doctors, people with hearing loss, who we conducted surgery upon can now hear.

“This surgery is like releasing the person from captivity of deafness and we thank the government for this laudable project and its success.

Oke urged philanthropists; well-meaning Nigerians and Non- Governmental Organisations to help more people who were suffering from hear loss.

“My appreciation goes to our Gov Akinwunmi Ambode, for the success of this project and other projects which he has put in place in this hospital,’’ NAN quotes him as saying.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that “Cochlear implant’’, is an electronic medical device that replaces the function of damaged inner ear.

A Consultant ENT Doctor, Dr Olawale Olubi, said that there was no need for travelling out of the country as LASUTH was filled with medical experts.

“We did the surgery here in this hospital and we have switched it on and it is successful.

“All of them can now hear sounds. We want to tell people that there is still hope for people who lost their hearing,’’ he said.

One of the beneficiaries, a 55-year-old man, Mr Rufai Asafe, appreciated the government for helping him with the surgery bills.

“I have experienced 15 years hear loss, I was among those who benefited from the cochlear implant and my hearing has improved tremendously and I can now hear,’’ Olubi said.

One of the mothers of children, who had cochlear implant, Mrs Adeyemi Abiodun, also expressed gratitude to the state government for the implant on her three -year old son.

“My son cannot hear from birth but after the cochlear implant surgery, which was switched on early this month, I discovered that my son can now react to sounds,’’ she said.

NAN reports a total of 16 cochlear implants have been conducted so far in the hospital.