Cochlear Implant Scheme

In News

• Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hailed the impact of the Cochlear Implant Scheme where children up to the age of 5 years are operated free of cost.
  • The cost of one operation is Rs six lakh which is borne by the Central Government.

Cochlea

• The cochlea is a hollow, spiral-shaped bone found in the inner ear that plays a key role in the sense of hearing and participates in the process of auditory transduction. 
• Sound waves are transduced into electrical impulses that the brain can interpret as individual frequencies of sound.

What is a Cochlear Implant?

• The cochlear implant is a prosthetic device, a part of which is surgically implanted inside the cochlea. 
• Cochlear implants have been found to be beneficial for children and adults with severe to profound hearing loss who do not benefit with hearing aids but have an intact auditory nerve.
• Difference between regular hearing aid and cochlear Implant
  • While a hearing aid provides amplified sound energy to the ear, the cochlear implant directly provides electrical stimulation to the nerve endings in the cochlea.

ADIP Scheme

• The ADIP Scheme (Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of Aids and Appliances) has been in operation since 1981.
• Objective
  • to assist the needy disabled persons in procuring durable, sophisticated and scientifically manufactured, modern, standard aids to promote their physical, social and psychological rehabilitation.
• The aids and appliances supplied under the Scheme must have due certification.
• The scheme also envisages conduct of corrective surgeries, wherever required, before providing an assistive device. 
• Under the Scheme, grants-in-aid are released to various implementing agencies  for purchase and distribution of aids and assistive devices.  

Source:ADIP