Meet 2-year-old Amishi, who triumphed over deafness and is today leading a normal life
Amishi was born as an Intrauterine Growth Restricted (IUGR) child, meaning she did not grow at a normal rate inside her mother’s womb. Kept at the NICU of the Manipal Hospital for about a month after being born, things got even more complicated for Amishi when screening revealed that she was hearing-impaired as well.
The family, however, was hopeful that Amishi will regain her hearing ability with passing time. Amishi’s mother, Rashmi, kept a close watch on her responses to various sounds.
As time passed, they worried more. The family soon realised that Amishi would not respond to any sounds unless they sought serious medical help. They had her screened for various hearing tests immediately, all of which confirmed that Amishi suffered from hearing impairment.
Soon, the family took the decision to get cochlear implants for Amishi, thereby avoiding any further developmental delay. The family was introduced to Dr. Shankar Medikeri, Director, Medikeri’s Super Speciality ENT Centre, Basavangudi, Bengaluru. Since Amishi’s family could afford it, Dr. Medikeri recommended that Amishi undergoes bilateral nucleus 6 cochlear implants.
Bilateral implants are highly recommended for best possible speech and language outcomes by almost all clinicians today. The implant cost her family nearly Rs 23 lakh, but given that the future of their child was at stake, the family decided to go ahead with the process. When the implants were conducted, Amishi was 14 months old.
Ever since her implants, Amishi has grown into an adorable young child who is doing extremely well in her peer group. She can recite and emote poems and loves music and dancing. She has also picked up the English alphabet and numbers. Amishi, now two years and seven months old, loves reading too. She has grown into a child with great potential and immense creative skills.
Sharing the experience of her daughter, Rashmi said –
“Early identification of Amishi’s impairment and our speedy approach to treatment has helped bring out the best in our child. Amishi is doing great and we can already see that she will have a bright and flourishing future.”
Rashmi further mentioned that she has maintained a diary for Amishi since the day she could start hearing till date, and can see the growth in her child. Amishi is today a healthy and happy child.
Not every child born in India undergoes a screening for deafness. We at SocialStory are running a month-long campaign on deafness, with the objective to push the government to bring in policy for compulsory screening for deafness at childbirth in India. Please sign this petition and help spread the word.