Call us at +65 8805 0324
Dr Rebecca Heywood
Senior Consultant ENT Specialist Surgeon
Fellowship and UK Trained Consultant
Looking For An Experienced
ENT Specialist?
Consult Dr Rebecca Heywood
@ Nuffield Medical
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Over 25 Years of Experience
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Expertise in Cochlear Implant Surgery
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Dedicated to Patient Recovery
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Internationally Recognised
About Dr Rebecca Heywood
Senior Consultant ENT Specialist Surgeon
B.Ch, B.A.O., B.A. , MRCS, ORL-HNS,
Dr Rebecca Heywood is a British Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) surgeon (Otolaryngologist-Head and Neck Surgeon) with 25 years of medical experience. She subspecialises in otology/hearing implants and disorders of the ear, hearing, balance, facial nerve and skull base. She is passionate about helping people to hear better. Testament to her holistic approach and evidence-based, patient-centred care, Dr Rebecca was awarded a Gold Singapore Health Quality Service Award in 2022.
Dr Rebecca brings a wealth of experience to her practice, having worked in public hospitals in the UK, Australia and Singapore. She graduated from the University of Manchester, UK in 1998 and did her postgraduate surgical training in London at world-renowned institutions such as Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, the Royal Marsden Hospital, St Mary’s Hospital and the Royal National Throat Nose and Ear Hospital. During her training she gained further experience in ear surgery at several prestigious centres internationally including the House Ear Institute in Los Angeles and the Causse Clinic in Beziers. She then undertook subspecialty fellowship training at the Ear Science Institute Australia, where she refined her skills in surgery of the ear and skull base under the mentorship of Professor Marcus Atlas, performing many middle ear, cochlear and other hearing implant and acoustic neuroma operations. Dr Rebecca is considered a key opinion leader in ear and hearing. She co-founded the hearing implant programmes at Ng Teng Fong and Sengkang General Hospitals in Singapore, winning a Service Quality Patient Experience Award for the Adult Cochlear Implant Programme along with her team at JurongHealth Campus in 2018. She has been an expert advisor on the provision of cochlear, middle ear and bone conduction implants in public healthcare and contributed to World Health Organisation strategy workshops on ear and hearing care in the Western Pacific region. She also volunteers her time and surgical expertise to charitable causes, especially for needy children. These have included performing surgery at the Children’s Surgical Hospital, Cambodia, running ear clinics in remote Aboriginal communities and promoting ear and hearing health community events in Singapore.
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Call us at +65 68334350
or use the form to reach us if you have any queries.
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Who is a candidate for cochlear implantation?Cochlear implantation is an option for individuals with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss who do not benefit from hearing aids. The degree of hearing loss, speech recognition ability, and medical history are factors that determine candidacy for cochlear implantation.
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How soon after the surgery can the cochlear implant be activated?The cochlear implant is typically activated around four to six weeks after the surgery. This allows time for the surgical site to heal before the device is turned on.
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Is the cochlear implant surgery painful?The surgery itself is performed under general anesthesia, so the patient is not awake during the procedure. After the surgery, some discomfort and swelling in the area of the implant are common, but these symptoms are generally mild and can be managed with pain medication.
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How effective are cochlear implants?Cochlear implants are highly effective in improving speech perception and communication abilities in individuals with severe to profound hearing loss. However, the degree of improvement varies from person to person and is dependent on several factors such as age at implantation, duration of deafness, and speech recognition ability prior to implantation.
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Can I still use a telephone or listen to music with a cochlear implant?Yes, individuals with cochlear implants can use telephones and listen to music. However, it may take some time to adjust to these activities, and additional devices or accessories may be necessary to enhance sound quality.
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What is a cochlear implant?A cochlear implant is a small electronic device that is surgically implanted in the inner ear to help individuals with severe to profound hearing loss to perceive sound.
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Are there any risks associated with cochlear implantation?As with any surgical procedure, there are some risks associated with cochlear implantation. These include infection, damage to surrounding structures, and device failure. However, these risks are relatively low, and the benefits of cochlear implantation usually outweigh the risks.
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How long is the recovery period after cochlear implant surgery?The recovery period after cochlear implant surgery is typically around two to four weeks. During this time, it is important to keep the surgical site clean and dry to avoid infection.
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Can I wear a cochlear implant while swimming or bathing?Most cochlear implants are water-resistant and can be worn while swimming or bathing. However, it is important to check with the manufacturer's guidelines for specific information on water resistance.
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How does a cochlear implant work?A cochlear implant bypasses damaged hair cells in the inner ear and directly stimulates the auditory nerve with electrical impulses. These impulses are then interpreted as sound by the brain.