First-of-its-kind: AIIMS-Jodhpur performs rare bilateral cochlear implant surgery on 9-month old

Jodhpur: AIIMS-Jodhpur's ENT department has performed cochlear implant surgery in both ears of a nine-month-old infant in a single session, a procedure the institute said was possibly the first-of-its-kind at any govt healthcare institution in India for a patient this young.

The infant, born in April 2025 at MDM Hospital, was brought to AIIMS-Jodhpur after her parents noticed she was not responding to sounds. She was evaluated by ENT specialist Dr Amit Goyal and diagnosed with profound hearing loss in both ears.


Doctors opted for early surgery, citing better outcomes with timely intervention. Dr Goyal said, "We knew this would be a challenging surgery, but it was also an opportunity to significantly improve the child's future."

The surgery involved several medical challenges. Specialists explained that at such a young age, blood volume is low, the skull bones are extremely soft, and the skin is very delicate. Despite these challenges, the team led by Dr Goyal and Dr Vidhu Sharma successfully performed the cochlear implant surgery, with anaesthesia managed by Dr Priyanka Sethi.

Following the surgery, the infant was discharged from the hospital, and further rehabilitation will now begin to ensure a healthy start to life. Congratulating the team, executive director of AIIMS-Jodhpur, Dr Govardhan Datt Puri, said, "Hearing screening at birth and timely cochlear implant surgery, when required, is the most effective way to rehabilitate such children into normal life."

This achievement is significant not only for the child's family but also highlights the growing capabilities and accomplishments of govt healthcare services. AIIMS-Jodhpur is equipped with all the necessary facilities to manage such complex cases, paving the way for a brighter future for affected children.

This surgery demonstrated that when the medical fraternity works in the right direction, even the seemingly impossible can be made possible. The case can serve as an inspiration for other children with hearing impairment, for whom timely intervention is crucial.