Dubai: A medical team of Al Baraha Hospital headed by Dr Ahmad Al Amadi, consultant and head of the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Department, has successfully implanted the smallest hearing device in a patient, the first such case in the Middle East.
The modern device by SOPHONO has been implanted in the bone to deliver sound directly to the inner ear without the need to pass it through the outer and middle ear. The hearing aid is designed for patients with congenital abnormalities in the outer or middle ear. It is used for individuals suffering from repeated or severe ear infections brought on by wearing the traditional hearing devices.
Dr Yousuf Al Serkal, Assistant Undersecretary for Prevention Hospitals Sector of the Ministry of Health, said the ministry strives to implement key strategies to modernise medical equipment in the country and improve the quality of local health services, raise patient satisfaction in the ministry-run hospitals, increase diagnostic accuracy, and avoid surgical intervention in some cases.
Dr Al Serkal also noted that government hospitals provide better health services and keep pace with the latest global developments through the use of modern equipment and applications, implementation of necessary programmes, and regular staff training in collaboration with global companies.
This device represents one of the most important advancements in modern science for the hearing-impaired, including children above five years old. It does not cause inconveniences in the ear drum and enables them to listen to conversations normally. Many patients have already been benefiting from the implants without any negative effect, with a success rate of 90 per cent. The device is also more advantageous over cochlear implant.
Dr Al Amadi and his team successfully conducted the surgery on a patient who is in early thirties and had been suffering from congenital hearing problem in the right ear.
Ahmad Obaid Khadeim, Director of Al Baraha Hospital, thanked the medical staff for their efforts to provide services in accordance with the highest international health standards and maximise health services in line with the ministry’s vision by using modern technologies for treating patients.
Al Baraha Hospital’s ENT Department receives cases from the Northern Emirates in coordination with all ministry-run hospitals. It has specialised units such as Advance Audio Laboratory, Advance Balance Laboratory and Computerised Speech Analysis Laboratory.
