The Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja has scored a first in hearing surgery in the country. 

has restored the hearing of two deaf patients through implantation of artificial cochlear, the auditory portion of the inner ear. 

This is the first time such surgery will be performed in Nigeria. The surgery was anchored by a German surgeon and a Professor of Ear Nose and Throat (ENT)"at the University of Freiburg in Germany, Roland Laszig and some LASUTH ENT experts. Prof Laszig said the cochlear implant would serve the patients for life, stressing that the chances of the device failing were slim. 

He said he had implanted over 3,000 artificial cochlear in patients, stressing that the products, which were made in Australia had been tried and tested with technical failure rate of less than two per cent. 

He advised that people should prevent the condition rather than looking for its cure, which is quite 

expensive to get. 

The cochlear implant costs about N5 million, which translates to 23,000 Euros," he said. Chairman, LASUTH Board, Dr Olatunde Williams, said the hospital was committed to solving long- standing problem, such as restoring hearing to the deaf, adding that it achieved the feat with col- laboration with Cochlear 

Foundation, Germany. 

He said, the state government was happy about the breakthrough, especially treating people with loss of hearing. 

LASUTH Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof Wale Oke, said the cochlear im-plantation will improve the hearing of people with 

severe deafness, 'the exercise to a very large extent will improve the patients' self-esteem and build their social confidence. 

They would no longer isolate themselves from social engagement because of loss of hearing.' 

He said many occurrences, such as generic or drug effects and infections could account for hearing defects or loss of 

hearing, stressing that it can affect children and adults. 

The CMD said knowledge was transferred to over 20 resident doctors on the procedure to implant cochlear and appealed to well-meaning individuals and corporate organisations to assist the government, adding that the hospital's resolve was to make 

excellent health care available to the people. 

Head, Department of ENT, Dr Abimbola Adekoya said babies should be screened for hearing loss immediately after birth for easy management. "Drugs, especially antibiotics should not be used without the doctor's prescription. Factory workers should be 

weary of noise pollution because it destroys the nerves in the ear,." he said. 

Consultant, ENT surgeon, Dr Olawale Olubi, said cochlear implants were necessary when hearing aid don't function. Hearing, he said, was restored- to a five- year- old and an adult in his 50s, adding that they will be able to use their sense of hearing (audi- tory) after four weeks. 

He said the surgery was successful but patients need to wait for about three weeks to recuperate well before the processor is activated, adding an electrode inside will be switched on afterwards.