A New Sound for Viana: A Journey to Hearing Through Cochlear Implant at The Medical City | The Medical City

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A New Sound for Viana: A Journey to Hearing Through Cochlear Implant at The Medical City

By The Medical City (TMC), Ortigas | August 28, 2025

A New Sound for Viana: A Journey to Hearing Through Cochlear Implant at The Medical City

Two-year-old Viana's world is opened up to sound after undergoing a successful cochlear implant procedure.

Pasig City, Philippines – August 9, 2025 – Two-year-old Viana Banta underwent a life-changing surgery at The Medical City – a cochlear implant procedure that marked a turning point in her young life. 

Viana’s parents first noticed something unusual right after she was born. “When she was still in the hospital crib, she had no reaction to loud noises,” her father recalled. “Even before birth, when we talked to her while she was in the womb, she didn’t respond the way most babies do.” They suspected something was wrong, especially when Viana remained unresponsive to familiar household sounds – even the barking of their dog. 

Hospital newborn hearing screenings confirmed their fears. “She failed the first two tests before we were discharged,” her mother shared. “The next tests at one month, two weeks after that, and a month later – all failed.” Still, hope lingered. They thought maybe her hearing was just underdeveloped. But further testing at The Medical City, under the care of Pedia-ENT specialist Dr. Lyra Veloro, confirmed the diagnosis: bilateral severe to profound hearing loss. Imaging and tests revealed even more challenges – a missing hearing nerve in the left ear, and a very narrow nerve in the right. 

“At first, I was in denial,” Viana’s father admitted. “There’s no history of hearing loss in our families. I didn’t want to believe it.” But as months passed and hearing aids showed minimal to no benefit, reality set in. The only viable path left was cochlear implantation. 

The decision was not easy. “Cochlear implants are very expensive,” her father said. “But we realized – we’re not getting any younger, and the Philippines is not yet a deaf-friendly environment. We didn’t want to leave Viana in a world where communication would be so hard for her.” 

After much research and consultation with Dr. Nathaniel Yang, The Medical City’s cochlear implant surgeon, the family learned that Viana was an ideal candidate – though only for one implant, in the right ear.  

Despite financial challenges and delays, the family persisted. And finally, on that Saturday morning in August, Viana was wheeled into the operating room for the procedure that could open her world to sound. 

“She’s a very bright child,” her parents said proudly. “She even teaches us sign language she makes up herself. But we want her to hear, to speak, to communicate without barriers.” 

Their message to other parents facing similar challenges is heartfelt: “Don’t lose hope. It will test your patience, your faith, your strength – everything. But think of your child’s future. Do everything you can now so they’re equipped to face whatever’s ahead.” 

For families like Viana’s, The Medical City offers a lifeline – a comprehensive, world-class cochlear implant program designed to give children and adults with severe to profound hearing loss a chance to experience sound, develop speech, and engage more fully with life. 


Surgeons leading Viana's cochlear implant procedure


A cochlear implant is a highly advanced electronic device that bypasses the damaged parts of the inner ear and directly stimulates the auditory nerve with electrical signals. Unlike hearing aids, which simply make sounds louder, cochlear implants deliver sound information straight to the brain – allowing the user to perceive and interpret sound more effectively. 

The cochlear implant program at The Medical City is more than just a medical service – it’s a chance to give loved ones the priceless gift of hearing, and with it, the opportunity to connect, communicate, and thrive. 

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