Five-Year-Old Raghav Rajput Regains Ability to Hear & Speak After Landmark Cochlear Implant Surgery at TMU
A remarkable medical achievement, five-year-old Raghav Rajput, who had been deaf and dumb since early childhood, has regained the ability to hear and speak after a successful cochlear implant surgery. The procedure was conducted at Teerthanker Mahaveer Hospital and Research Center (TMU), marking the region's first successful cochlear implant surgery. The operation lasted nearly two hours and was executed by a team of expert doctors. Raghav, the second son of Mr. Nakul Singh from Moradabad, was initially born without any noticeable health issues. However, it was later discovered that he was unable to hear or speak. Despite extensive consultations with various medical professionals, no significant progress was made until doctors recommended a cochlear implant. Unfortunately, the high cost of the procedure—estimated at over ₹8 lakhs—posed a major financial challenge for the family.
Raghav Rajput, Five-Year-Old After the Surgery with the Team of Doctors
The turning point came when the family was informed about the central government’s Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP) scheme, implemented by the National Institute of Speech and Hearing Disabilities. Under this scheme, eligible children up to five years of age from families earning less than ₹15,000 per month are entitled to receive a cochlear implant free of cost. Raghav was brought to the Department of ENT at TMU Hospital, where he was screened and found eligible for the surgery. Following the necessary approvals through the government portal, the cochlear implant device was allocated to the hospital. The surgical team comprised Dr. Probal Chatterjee, Head of the Department of ENT, Dr. Mukesh Prasad, Head of the Department of Anesthesia, and Dr. Akshay Jain, along with their medical team. The procedure was successfully performed, and a press conference was held to share the details of the achievement. Present at the event were the surgical team, Prof. M.P. Singh, Dean of Student Welfare, Mr. Vaibhav Jain, and Mr. Anil Gupta.
Dr. Chatterjee emphasized that while cochlear implant surgery typically incurs a significant cost—approximately ₹6 lakhs for the device and an additional ₹2 lakhs for associated medical expenses—all costs were fully covered under the ADIP scheme at TMU. The hospital also provided tests, medication, hospitalization, and meals entirely free of charge. Dr. Chatterjee noted that the implant would be activated approximately two weeks’ post-surgery and that the device is designed to last a lifetime. Additionally, Raghav will receive comprehensive speech therapy over the next two years to ensure the development of proper hearing and speaking abilities. Dr. Chatterjee highlighted the importance of early intervention, urging parents to seek treatment as early as possible, as the ADIP scheme applies only to children under the age of five. For children above five, support is available under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, though the cost of the cochlear device must be borne by the family; only the surgery is covered under Ayushman.
In closing, Dr. Chatterjee reiterated that surgery is just the beginning—true success lies in the long-term speech and hearing development of the child through dedicated therapy. Raghav was discharged from the hospital after the successful completion of the procedure, and his father, Mr. Nakul Singh, expressed his profound gratitude to the entire medical team at TMU Hospital for transforming his son’s future.