An eight year old girl can hear sounds for the first time, thanks to doctors at University Hospital Sharjah

The doctors recently performed the first ever cochlear implant surgery in the UAE. A Cochlear implant is an electronic medical device that is implanted into the ear and acts as a hearing aid, replacing the function of the damaged inner ear on a permanent basis, if the surgery is successful.

The success rate is higher among younger kids from the ages of 0-3

Nafiya received the gift of hearing

Nafiya is an eight year old Indian expatriate living in Dubai, who has been unable to hear since she was born. The cochlear device was implanted into her ear at UHS and after a recovery period of two weeks, Nafiya returned to the hospital where Dr Muhammed Ayas, a senior audiologist at the hospital, activated the device for the first time.

The technology means Nafiya should even be able to hear under water

‘It is such a wonderful moment for the child, parents, and the doctors, when the child is invited into the world of sound after the CI activation…

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The technology of the implant is so advanced that the little girl will be able to hear sounds underwater when she swims’

Dr Muhammed Ayas, a senior audiologist (to the Khaleej Times)

Nafiya’s father was emotional on the day…

“Now my daughter can hear us speak to her. She will listen to music, the birds sing, and all the sounds of the world for the first time. This is a special day for our family and is one that we will never forget.” 

Nafiya’s father (to the Khaleej Times)

This was the first cochlear surgery in the UAE

With an increasing number of infants being born with hearing impairments, we hope to see more successful operations to come.

Main image credit (Khaleejtimes.com)