PGIMER Achieves National Milestone with The Youngest Simultaneous Bilateral Cochlear Implantation in a Seven-Month-Old Infant

Chandigarh, 31 August 2026:
The Department of Otolaryngology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER),
Chandigarh, achieved a significant milestone today by successfully performing simultaneous bilateral cochlear implantation in a seven-month-old infant.
The procedure is among the youngest reported simultaneous bilateral cochlear implantations performed in India and represents an important advancement in early hearing intervention within the public healthcare system . The surgery was led by Prof. Ramandeep Singh Virk. The audiology and rehabilitation team comprised Prof. Sanjay Munjal, Dr. Parul Sud, Dr. Anuradha and Mr. Drepath. The anesthesiologist was Dr. Nitika Bansal, and the ENT residents supporting the case were Dr. Anupriya, Dr. Bhisham and Dr. Narayana. Operating theatre technical support was provided by Mr. Sahi Ram and Ms. Shivnoor Gill.
This achievement carries an important message for parents and healthcare professionals that hearing loss in infants and young children is a developmental emergency that requires timely identification and intervention. Although hearing loss is an invisible disability, delaying its treatment can profoundly affect a child’s speech, language, learning and overall development.
Early hearing screening, accurate diagnosis, timely cochlear implantation when indicated, and consistent post-implant rehabilitation can provide children with the best opportunity to develop age-appropriate listening and communication abilities.
PGIMER remains committed to advancing comprehensive cochlear implant and auditory brainstem implant care through early diagnosis, specialised surgical expertise, objective intraoperative assessment, evidence-based programming and long-term auditory rehabilitation.