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Cochlear implantation in Malawi: report of the first four cases

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 August 2017

W Mulwafu ,
D R Strachan ,
R Bartlett  and
C Caron
W Mulwafu*
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi
D R Strachan
Affiliation:
Yorkshire Auditory Implant Service, Bradford Royal Infirmary, UK
R Bartlett
Affiliation:
ABC Clinic, Lilongwe, Malawi
C Caron
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Wakisa Mulwafu, Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Private Bag 360, Blantyre, Malawi E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Objective:

This paper reports on the first four cochlear implant cases in Malawi.

Case reports:

Three patients were deafened from infectious diseases and one from an unknown cause. They all had post-lingual deafness. Six months after the last implant, they are all progressing well.

Conclusion:

Despite significant practical difficulties, it has proved possible, with the right support, to carry out cochlear implantation in one of the world's poorest countries. The project has also raised awareness of deafness in Malawi and highlighted significant public health issues relating to the aetiology of deafness in developing countries.

Keywords

Cochlear ImplantsAfricaHearing Loss
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 131 , Issue 10 , October 2017 , pp. 914 - 918
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2017 

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