Akshitha’s parents, Srinivas and his wife, had no idea their daughter was unable to hear. It was only when others began to comment that they realized something might be wrong. They took Akshitha to a children’s hospital, where a BERA test confirmed their fears: Akshitha was deaf. The doctors explained that this would also prevent her from learning to speak.
Desperate to find a solution, the family searched for speech therapy options. They learned about Dr. Shree Rao through a WhatsApp group. Dr. Rao's ENT Hospital was offering a surgery, which normally cost ₹10 lakh, completely free of charge. During their visit, Dr. Rao explained that a cochlear implant surgery would enable Akshitha to hear and speak. The family met with Dr. Rao in February, and the surgery was successfully performed on June 21st.
On the day of the “switch on,” Akshitha initially cried, but quickly hugged her father tightly. The surgery was a success: Akshitha could hear. The family was overjoyed. Dr. Shree Rao’s intervention was transformative. Thanks to her expertise and the hospital’s generosity, Akshitha’s life was forever changed. She is now able to hear and talk like other children. Srinivas and his wife expressed their profound gratitude to Dr. Shree Rao, recognizing her skill and the impact she has had on their daughter’s life.
