Global seminar on 'Cochlear implants'

From: The Hindu Business Line, India - Aug 15, 2003

THE Clarke School for the Deaf and Mentally Retarded here will hold an 'international seminar on Cochlear implants' in October, the School's Founder-Director, Ms Leelavathy Patrick, told journalists here.

The school, which has three units (for the deaf, deaf and blind, and mentally retarded), has in residence around 500 students, some of whom can benefit from 'cochlear implant,' a surgical method of treating hearing impairments.

The problem with the surgery is, however, the high cost of it - a surgery could cost around Rs 6 lakh. But the seminar is expected to highlight the advancements in technology and to sensitise the need for assistance to the disabled.

Ms Patrick was speaking to journalists on the sidelines of a function organised here, where Siemens Hearing Instruments Ltd, which makes hearing aids, donated the instruments to 36 students of the Clarke school.

Mr Juergen Schubert, Managing Director of Siemens Ltd, handed over the 36 pairs of specially moulded hearing instruments to the identified underprivileged children. The selection was made by the school, based on the extent of hearing loss, where the fitting of a hearing aid would make a difference to the students' future.

Later, six children of the school gave a dance performance, along with Astad Deboo, pioneer of modern dance in India and a winner of the Sangeet Natak Academy award.

© 2003 The Hindu Business Line