Dubai: Four-year-old Salma Sehata shows signs of being able to comprehend the words of her parents and attempts to speak the few words she has now learned in Arabic, her mother tongue. The joy and relief on the faces of her mum and dad are apparent, thanks to a surgery in Dubai that equipped her with an advanced cochlear implant.
“I cannot thank the Austrian surgeon, Dr Georg Sprinzl, enough for this fantastic implant which has helped us hear our daughter’s voice for the first time,” says Ali Sehata, her father.
Salma, who underwent a surgery at hearLIFE clinic at Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) to receive this special implant on September 23, could not hear earlier and is now undergoing extensive rehabilitation after the activation of her implant with speech therapists, psychologists and an audiometrist at the clinic and learning to speak.
The SYNCHRONY implant from MED-EL, which is available in the UAE, consists of a ground-breaking SONNET audio processor specifically designed to mimic the processing of sound more naturally, alongside its waterproof capabilities that can make a big difference in the lives of patients.
Commenting on the special technology that makes it easy to use, Dr Georg Sprinzl told Gulf News: “This implant, which is a compact and elegant device, is very light, making it an ideal choice for both young and older patients. It’s a great improvement on earlier hearing systems. Encompassing dual microphone technology, the implant has the latest advances in noise reduction technology. Thanks to this the audio processor actively adapts to any listening environment to ensure optimal hearing performance. Features such as Automatic Volume Control, Wind Noise Reduction and Microphone Directionality make it a comfortable solution in any listening situation.”
Besides the audio qualities, the implant has been imbued with uncomplicated features making it easy for use. It is the first implant to be made water- and sweat-proof, enabling the user to enjoy water sports, beach activities or simply sitting in the bath or pool without interrupted hearing. This is possible as it comes with an audio-processor with a special cover that makes it waterproof and prevents dust from entering the system, enabling the user to go swimming, use it on the beach and outdoors. Besides that, unlike earlier hearing implants, it enables MRI scans to be completed without the need to remove the magnetic components of the implant, ensuring easier medical checks should the need arise later in the patient’s life, Dr Sprinzl said.
