R ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, MAR 3
In a breakthrough that resonates far beyond borders, Apollo Children’s Hospitals, Chennai has successfully performed Tamil Nadu’s first Cochlear™ Nucleus® Nexa™ implant surgery, ushering in a new era of intelligent hearing technology in the state.
- 9-year-old from Bangladesh receives State’s First Cochlear™ Nucleus® Nexa™ Implant on World Hearing Day
- Landmark surgery at Apollo Children’s Hospitals positions Chennai as early adopter of next-gen hearing tech
- Led by Dr. Venkatakarthikeyan.C, MARKING A LEAP IN PAEDIATRIC HEARING CARE
- Smart, future-ready implant powered by NEXOS™ chipset enables firmware upgrades without repeat surgery
The milestone procedure, performed on World Hearing Day (March 3), was led by Dr. Venkatakarthikeyan.C, placing the hospital among the early centres in India to introduce this next-generation cochlear implant system.
A journey of courage from Bangladesh to Chennai
The recipient is a nine-year-old girl from Bangladesh who travelled to Chennai specifically for the surgery — a testament to the hospital’s growing global reputation in advanced paediatric hearing care.
The child had been suffering from severe to profound bilateral hearing loss since birth, accompanied by speech and language impairment. Following the successful procedure, she is recovering well and remains under close clinical supervision. In the coming weeks, her external sound processor will be activated and programmed to optimise hearing outcomes — a critical phase in her auditory rehabilitation journey.
Technology that evolves with the child
The Cochlear Nucleus Nexa is the world’s first smart cochlear implant system powered by the NEXOS™ chipset. It is uniquely designed to support firmware upgrades, enabling patients to benefit from future software advancements without requiring additional surgery.
The system integrates advanced signal processing and stimulation technologies that enhance sound clarity, particularly in complex listening environments such as classrooms and group settings — significantly improving speech perception and communication outcomes for children.
Speaking on the milestone, Dr. Venkatakarthikeyan.C, Senior Consultant, ENT, Head Neck-Robotic Surgeon, Apollo Children’s Hospitals, Chennai, said, “For children, consistent access to sound through this smart, future-ready technology can significantly enhance speech and language development, improve academic performance, strengthen social interaction, and support the development of the brain’s auditory pathways. We focus on combining cutting-edge medical innovation with comprehensive post-operative care and structured rehabilitation to ensure the best possible long-term outcomes for young patients.”
Dr. Ilankumaran Kaliamoorthy, Chief Executive Officer-Chennai Region, Apollo Hospitals, added, “This successful surgery marks not only a technological milestone but also reinforces our commitment to delivering world-class, advanced hearing solutions. We remain focused on expanding access to cutting-edge care for children across India and neighbouring countries. At Apollo Hospitals, we continue to strengthen our clinical capabilities, invest in next-generation technologies, and build multidisciplinary expertise to deliver comprehensive, child-centric care.”
A defining moment for Tamil Nadu
This achievement signals a transformative shift in cochlear implant technology in Tamil Nadu, offering renewed hope to children with hearing loss across the region and neighbouring countries.
More than a medical milestone, it is a life-changing intervention — one that restores not just hearing, but confidence, connection and the promise of a fuller future.
