Costly ear surgery only option for boy who got 97% in SSC exams

Despite scoring 97% in his Class 10 (SSC) board exams, Deep (name changed) 16, is worried about pursuing further studies.

Despite scoring 97% in his Class 10 (SSC) board exams, Deep (name changed) 16, is worried about pursuing further studies.

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The Matunga resident suffered a sudden complete hearing loss two weeks before his board exams began. On February 22, Deep returned home from school after appearing for a practical examination. He realised he could not hear his doorbell. Six months ago, he had suffered partial hearing loss in his right ear and was undergoing treatment.

“In February, he started complaining that he could not hear at all. We rushed him to the hospital where a audiogram revealed that he had suffered a complete loss of hearing,” said Deep’s mother, Savita (name changed).

Not letting the setback stop him, Deep appeared for his board exams. After the exams, the family consulted doctors at KEM Hospital who advised a cochlear implant surgery to aid his hearing.

“In his case, a hearing aid is of no use and he will require a surgery. A delay in surgery is hampering his education,” said, Dr Hetal Marfatia, associate professor, ENT department, KEM Hospital.

Deep’s family has already spent Rs 2.50 lakh on his treatment and is now collecting funds to get the implants, which will cost around Rs17 lakh. His father works in public undertaking and is struggling to raise the money.