Montreal Children's Hospital performs first cochlear implant surgery on young 'super hear-o'
Two weeks ago, a child with hearing loss being treated at the Montreal Children's Hospital underwent cochlear implant surgery, a procedure that was only offered in Quebec City until now.
Arman Dimirjian started losing his hearing when he was three years old. By the time he was 10, the impairment in his left ear meant that his hearing aids couldn’t help anymore. This meant he was eligible for a cochlear implant.
Dimirjian was the first patient in Montreal to receive the surgery on Jan. 17, 2023. The procedure was a success — so much so that he feels like he has new "superpowers."
The implant consists of an electronic device that replaces the function of damaged or missing hair cells in the inner ear that transmit stimulation to the hearing nerve fibres.
"It’s really great. I can hear things better now. Well, sort of, because it’s kind of sounding robotic, but I’ll get used to it soon and I just can’t wait to hear things so clearly," he said.
The staff that has gotten to know him affectionately calls him their "super hear-o."
Arman Dimirjian is excited by the fact that the implant is completely waterproof. (Christine Long/CTV News)
The robotic sounds Dimirjian mentioned are being fine-tuned as the cochlear implant is finessed for him during weekly adjustments.
"At first, the nerve receives those electric impulses and feeds the brain with that electric sound, which sounds robotic," said audiologist François Prevost, who treated him.
"What is beautiful with that is that it’s the brain that's receiving the nerve or the signal that, over time, will learn to transform that robotic signal into something that sounds natural."
Surgically, the implant was placed under the skin with a wire right into the cochlear part of the inner ear.
"It’s better for him in crowds with noise and knowing where sounds are coming from,” said Dr. Melanie Duval, an otolaryngologist.
"By bypassing the natural pathway of sound, we’re able to help him hear better. So we really bypass what’s no longer working well and feed his hearing nerve with electric signals that deliver him sound. And with better hearing comes a fuller life."
His mother, Maggie Dimirjian, said this is a positive first step to gaining his hearing.
"He hears music better, and in school, it’s helping him a lot," she said.
"This is just the beginning, and already he’s doing very well. He’s received it well, the implant, and we already see progress.”
The progress is expected to continue as Dimirjian gets used to his new superpower.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
DEVELOPING Live updates from the Trump hush money trial: Stormy Daniels, bookkeeper testify
Adult film star Stormy Daniels is on the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
B.C. wildfires likely to spread with weekend temperatures expected to soar, province says
Wildfire and emergency management officials in British Columbia are urging residents to be prepared for increased fire activity as temperatures are expected to soar above 30 C in parts of the province this weekend.
Wilfrid Laurier football player drafted despite only playing 27 games in his entire life
A Listowel, Ont. man, drafted by the Hamilton Tigercats last week, is also getting looks from the NFL, despite only playing 27 games of football in his life.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.