Mumbai: Family holidays have never been a part of the Pareeks’ lives. Every year or so, plans would instead revolve around hospital admissions, surgery dates and recovery.Since he was a month old, 18-year-old Gaurav Pareek from Kalyan has undergone 10 operations to treat a series of congenital anomalies. His first surgery for a hernia was followed by repairs of a cleft lip and palate, repeated operations on both ears and years of living with hearing loss. On Sunday came a milestone — one his family hopes will change his future.Doctors at BMC-run KEM Hospital in Parel implanted an advanced bone-conduction hearing device in Gaurav’s right ear, a procedure expected to improve his hearing when it’s switched on three weeks from now.“We have never been able to take a family vacation because every 12 to 18 months, Gaurav would have another surgery scheduled,” said his mother, Anju Pareek.Despite spending much of his childhood in hospitals, Gaurav has excelled academically; he is pursuing a course in finance at a Matunga college. “He has been good at sports too, and makes friends easily,” said his mother.The implant, which costs over Rs 8 lakh for one ear, was funded through donations mobilised by KEM Hospital. His nine other operations were done at a subsidised cost at Wadia Hospital, Parel. “He is now an adult, so we came to KEM Hospital where, hopefully, the last operation to fix his chin will be taken up next,” said his mother.For KEM Hospital, Sunday’s surgery was significant not only because of the technology involved but also because it was broadcast live to ENT specialists across the country as part of a teaching programme.ENT department head Dr Hetal Marfatia said the implant is particularly beneficial for patients like Gaurav, whose congenital abnormalities affected the Eustachian tubes. Unlike a conventional hearing aid, the Osia 3 system transmits sound through bone vibrations directly to the inner ear, bypassing damaged portions of the outer and middle ear.KEM dean Dr Harish Pathak said, “It’s a matter of immense satisfaction that such cutting-edge technology is now available at KEM Hospital, making advanced hearing rehabilitation accessible within the municipal healthcare system.”
