On a quest to end silence

“Hear my words that I might teach you Take my arms that I might reach you.But my words like silent raindrops fell And echoed in the wells of silence”

The poignant words from the 1964 Simon and Garfunkel song may have been for those who can hear but do not listen, but they ironically reflect the angst caused when the sounds of the world are shut out for lives enveloped by a silence that is never broken. Restoring the power of hearing to hundreds of hearing impaired children and adults and helping them communicate without fear has been the life work of Sunita Kumar, Managing Director, MAA ENT Hospitals, whose mission of a “deaf free” world began with the first hospital set up in Hyderabad, two decades ago.

From a humble beginning, the main hospital at Jubilee Hills has six centres in the city and is all set to establish a branch in Kolkata. Studies done by the MAA Research foundation set up by her in 2006 have not only given a fillip to the treatment process but have helped spread awareness about screening and early detection that is the key to the 100 per cent success rate achieved through cochlear implants and other advanced methods of treatment at these hospitals.

She may not have realised her dream of becoming a doctor but Sunita took up the challenge of setting up a hospital for her husband’s friend when the opportunity arose, finding fulfilment in helping patients in utter despair. Starting from scratch she learnt various aspects of hospital management undergoing training for cochlear implant rehabilitation at Delhi. “Every day is a challenge here. I was particularly moved by the pain that parents experienced when the growth of children is impeded due to lack of hearing.

Helping such people is a task that is immensely satisfying and fulfilling,” she says. Crediting her success to the unstinted support extended by her husband Giri Kumar, who is into land development and interior designing, she finds his advice invaluable in dealing with challenges that she encounters at work. Organising 15-20 rural awareness camps every month MAA ENT Hospitals have emerged as one of the best institutions in the field having screened over one lakh patients and conducted more than 500 cochlear surgeries on adults and children since inception.

This is still a modest figure compared to the problem that is of great magnitude with late identification and social stigma posing hurdles for treatment. Using glasses for clear vision is considered cool but people are still reluctant to using hearing aids says Sunita. There is also a misconception that these surgeries impact the brain and the nervous system, which creates unnecessary fear among people she adds.

Recalling an instance where a mother, who was offended when it was pointed out that her son was hard of hearing, became aggressive and abusive, she says convincing her to get her son treated with cochlear implants after which he regained normal hearing remains one of the most memorable incidents in her journey. “We are like one large family. We monitor the progress of children, who undergo surgery organising cultural programmes and events on a regular basis. Many of our children are in Class X and junior college now,’’ says Sunita, who herself grew up in a large joint family and cherishes the togetherness and joy that it brings.

Despite a busy schedule that includes workshops and conferences for doctors all over the country, Sunita finds a perfect balance between work and family devoting enough time for her husband and two children. “I make it a point to attend all family functions and switch off totally from work when I am at home,” she says. An active Rotarian she also identifies with social causes and believes in spreading happiness and cheer wherever she goes. Making the best of both worlds Sunita Kumar is a success story that needs to be heard.