Cochlear Implant in Lahore
Restore hearing with advanced cochlear implant surgery by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Irshad Malik, a pioneer in pediatric and adult cochlear implants and an experienced ear specialist in Lahore.
Table of Contents
What is a Cochlear Implant?
A cochlear implant is an electronic medical device that replaces the function of the damaged inner ear. Unlike hearing aids, which make sounds louder, cochlear implants do the work of damaged parts of the inner ear (cochlea) to provide sound signals to the brain. Patients with severe hearing loss are usually assessed first by an ear doctor for hearing loss in Lahore.
Who is a Candidate?
- Children and adults with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss.
- Individuals who receive little or no benefit from hearing aids, showing delayed speech or language development.
- Patients with a functioning auditory nerve.
- Prior to surgery, candidates undergo comprehensive audiological assessment (Pure Tone Audiometry - PTA) and imaging (CT/MRI) to confirm normal inner ear anatomy — often arranged through the same ear diagnostics pathway.
The Procedure
The surgery is performed under general anesthesia. An incision is made behind the ear to place the implant under the skin, and the electrode array is carefully inserted into the cochlea. Advanced techniques like intraoperative impedance and neural response telemetry (NRT) are utilized by Dr. Irshad Malik and his team to confirm optimal electrode placement and device function during the procedure itself. Recovery is typically fast, and the device is activated a few weeks after the surgery, followed by auditory-verbal therapy for optimal outcomes.
The Urgent Need in Pakistan
According to a WHO survey (2018), 10% of Pakistan's population suffers from congenital deafness. An epidemiological survey conducted in Punjab further revealed that 20 out of 10,000 individuals suffer from hearing defects. Early intervention is key, and cochlear implantation has emerged as a well-established means of auditory rehabilitation. For global context on hearing impairment, see the WHO fact sheet on deafness and hearing loss.
Public Sector Breakthroughs & Historic Milestones
Financial constraints have long limited the implementation of cochlear implant programs in the public sector. Prof. Dr. Irshad Malik has led historic milestones to change this:
- Jinnah Hospital Lahore / AIMC: Led the first-ever cochlear implant surgery on a 5-year-old child at Jinnah Hospital, marking the beginning of a dedicated public sector program to ensure accessible advanced treatments.
- Omar Hospital, Johar Town: Performed the first-ever cochlear implant at Omar Hospital, opening doors to a world of sound.
- FJMU / Sir Ganga Ram Hospital: Successfully performed bilateral cochlear implants on adult patients, restoring hearing after progressive hearing loss.
- Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital: Part of the pioneering team contributing to transformative cochlear implant care.