LET'S HEAR IT FOR DOCS, SAYS GRATEFUL GIRL

From: New York Post, NY - Aug 13, 2003

By SHAWNDELLE AUSTIN

August 13, 2003 -- A Romanian girl, deaf since birth until Mt. Sinai surgeons restored her hearing, met the doctors who performed the surgery yesterday for the first time since she's been able to hear - and the warm sounds of laughter filled the air.

Little Patricia Puia - who had been deaf since her birth 21/2 years ago - was all smiles yesterday when she returned to the hospital.

"This really does change a child's life," said Dr. Chandra Sekhari, as Patricia wiggled and waved at her. "I am very pleased with the outcome."

Patricia flew to New York earlier this year, unable to hear a thing because of a defect in her ear canals. Surgeons changed that by implanting a high-tech hearing device in one ear. It's a microphone that transmits an electrical signal that allows her nerve endings to respond to sounds.

"Patti now communicates with children her age and with her older sister," said her beaming mom, Lucica.

The operation, which costs from $50,000 to $75,000, was paid for by Mt. Sinai. The hospital plans to perform a similar cochlear implant on another Romanian child next month.

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