JAIPUR (Sunday, March 8, 2026) — In a milestone for public healthcare in Rajasthan, surgeons at the Rajasthan University of Health Sciences (RUHS) have successfully performed the state’s first artificial intelligence-based smart cochlear implant on a three-year-old girl. The advanced procedure, which utilizes a “smart” system to optimize hearing and speech development, was conducted free of cost under the state’s health scheme.
The Patient and the Procedure
The recipient, a three-year-old girl named Shanaya, suffered from congenital hearing impairment. While she could sense some sounds in infancy, she had completely lost her hearing by age two.
- Surgery Details: The complex procedure lasted nearly three hours and was led by Dr. Mohnish Grover, a senior professor in the ENT department and a pioneer of cochlear implants in Rajasthan.
- Prognosis: The child is currently stable. Doctors expect her to begin perceiving sound and starting her speech development journey in approximately 21 days.
- Financial Aid: The surgery, which typically costs around ₹8 lakh in private facilities, was performed free of cost under the Chief Minister Ayushman Arogya (MAA) Scheme.
Why “AI-Based” Implants are a Game Changer
The device used is a NEXA Smart Cochlear Implant, which represents a significant technological leap over traditional models.
| Feature | Function/Benefit |
| Nexos AI Chip | A high-speed processor that filters background noise and enhances sound clarity in real-time. |
| SmartNav Technology | Provides surgeons with live feedback during the operation to ensure the electrode is placed precisely in the cochlea. |
| Internal Memory | The first implant to store the patient’s “mapping” data internally, making future adjustments faster and more accurate. |
| Firmware Upgrades | Like a smartphone, the internal device can receive software updates to improve performance without requiring further surgery. |
Expanding Access at RUHS
The Medical Education Department Commissioner, Naresh Kumar Goyal, hailed the success as a “defining moment” for the state. To meet the growing demand for such specialized care, RUHS has recently:
- Increased its ENT operation theaters from four to six.
- Announced the establishment of a dedicated cochlear implant theater to handle a waiting list that currently extends into late 2026.
Sources
- Press Trust of India (PTI): “Three-year-old gets AI-based cochlear implant at govt hospital in Rajasthan” (March 8, 2026)
- The Tribune: “World Hearing Day: Cochlear brings first smart hearing implant to India” (March 2, 2026)
- The BuckStopper: “RUHS creates history, performs NEXA Smart Cochlear Implant” (March 6, 2026)
- Devdiscourse: “Revolutionary AI Cochlear Implant Brings New Hope in Rajasthan” (March 8, 2026)
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