As a medical journalist, I recently visited the ENT department at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital and sat down for an in-depth conversation with Dr. Shama S Kovale. Right away I felt the weight of responsibility that comes with being an Ear Doctor in Mumbai, as I observed patients arriving, some with simple ear complaints, others seeking advanced surgical solutions. In that moment, I sensed why many consider this hospital — and Dr. Kovale — when they search for a trusted ENT specialist in the city.
Credentials, Clinical Experience & Clinic Setup
Dr. Shama S Kovale academic and professional background is solid and comprehensive. She earned her MBBS, followed by a Diploma in Otorhinolaryngology (DLO), and later completed her MS (ENT) from B.Y.L. Nair Hospital / Topiwala National Medical College, Mumbai. She further strengthened her expertise with advanced fellowships — including phonosurgery (voice and swallowing) and cochlear implant surgery.
With over two decades (20+ years, in some sources 23 years) of clinical and surgical experience, Dr. Kovale has worked at multiple reputable hospitals before joining Kokilaben.At Kokilaben, she heads a dedicated Voice and Swallowing Centre, which doubles as a full-fledged ENT unit — handling ear, nose, throat, voice, airway, and skull-base disorders.
The Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital environment reflects this breadth: modern diagnostic tools, endoscopic and microsurgical equipment, voice-therapy rooms, and facilities for cochlear implants and advanced ENT surgeries. During my visit I observed a well-organized ENT department, where ease of navigation, cleanliness, and a calm, patient-centred approach seem to be standard. Patients ranged from children with ear infections to adults needing specialized voice or ear surgery — a testament to the versatility of services offered.
Given all this, it’s understandable why many in Mumbai looking for an ENT Specialist in Mumbai or the Best ENT Specialist in Mumbai consider Dr. Kovale a strong candidate.
Benefits and Risks of ENT Treatments & Surgeries
Benefits
Under Dr. Kovale’s care, patients have access to a wide range of ENT and ear-related treatments, from routine earwax removal and ear-infection management, to advanced surgical procedures like tympanoplasty (eardrum repair), cochlear implants, mastoidectomy, and endoscopic nasal/skull-base surgeries.
- Hearing restoration and improved quality of life: For people with chronic ear disease, eardrum perforations, hearing loss or recurrent infections — surgeries like tympanoplasty or ear microsurgery may significantly improve hearing and reduce infection risk.
- Minimally invasive options for sensitive issues: Voice disorders, swallowing issues, or airway problems are addressed via specialized techniques such as microlaryngoscopy, voice therapy, or Botox injections — which tend to have quicker recovery times compared to open surgery.
- Comprehensive, multidisciplinary care: At a reputed center like Kokilaben, ENT, otology, voice & swallowing, cochlear implants, and skull-base care come under one roof — reducing the need for patients to bounce among specialists. This holistic setup can be especially helpful for complicated cases (e.g., balance disorders or skull-base issues).
Risks & Limitations
However, as Dr. Kovale acknowledged (and as any ethical ENT surgeon would), these interventions carry inherent risks.
- Surgical risks: As with any ear or skull-base surgery — tympanoplasty, mastoidectomy, cochlear implant — there is risk of complications such as infection, graft failure, persistent perforation, hearing not improving as much as expected, or even rare nerve damage.
- Voice and airway procedures complexity: For voice surgeries, laryngoscopic interventions, or airway reconstruction, there’s risk of temporary or permanent voice changes, swallowing difficulties, or airway compromise — especially if post-operative care is not followed carefully.
- Post-operative recovery variability: Success depends on multiple factors — patient’s general health, adherence to aftercare advice, and timely follow-up. In some chronic or severe conditions, multiple interventions or prolonged therapy may be needed rather than a quick fix.
Dr. Kovale stressed that while modern techniques greatly reduce risks, “there is no zero-risk surgery” — and transparent patient communication, realistic expectations, and careful selection are key.
Approximate Cost Range
During my interview, while exact billing details were not disclosed (these depend heavily on complexity, need for anesthesia, implants, hospital stay, etc.), the publicly available consultation fee for Dr. Kovale at Kokilaben Hospital is listed at around ₹ 2,500 for a first visit.
For more specialized or surgical procedures — such as tympanoplasty, cochlear implantation, sinus/skull-base surgery, or advanced laryngoscopic interventions — costs will understandably be significantly higher, reflecting hospitalization, surgical facility usage, implants (if applicable), anesthesia, and post-operative care. As with most ENT hospitals in metropolitan cities, these costs vary case-by-case and are best discussed directly with the hospital at the time of scheduling.
Precautions & Aftercare Advice Shared by Dr. Kovale
In our conversation, Dr. Kovale emphasized the importance of a disciplined recovery and after-care, especially for surgical and complex ENT procedures. Key advice included:
- Ear hygiene and care: For ear surgeries (tympanoplasty or mastoidectomy), patients should avoid water entering the ear, refrain from vigorous ear cleaning, and follow prescribed ear drops or medications diligently.
- Avoiding strain on voice & throat: Post-voice or airway surgery, patients — especially professional voice users (teachers, singers, speakers) — should rest their voice, avoid loud speaking or singing for a recommended period, and follow voice therapy or vocal hygiene guidelines.
- Follow-up visits are critical: For monitoring healing of grafts (in ear surgeries), assessing voice recovery, or evaluating airway restoration, follow-up appointments are essential. Dr. Kovale stresses that long-term success depends on periodic review.
- Lifestyle and environmental adjustments: For chronic ENT or sinus issues, avoiding exposure to dust, allergens, or irritants, maintaining nasal hygiene, and adhering to prescribed nasal sprays or medications helps prevent recurrence.
- Immediate attention for warning signs: Any post-surgical complication — unexpected pain, discharge, dizziness (in ear surgeries), persistent hoarseness, breathing difficulty, or infection — warrants prompt return to the hospital rather than self-medication.
According to her, a well-informed patient — who understands the procedure, the risks, and actively follows aftercare — usually has a smoother recovery and better long-term outcomes.
Why This Matters: The Role of a Specialist Ear Doctor in Mumbai
In a city like Mumbai, where pollution, noise, and lifestyle stressors are common — chronic ear infections, sinusitis, hearing issues, voice strain, vertigo — are not rare. Having a specialist like Dr. Shama S Kovale, with long-standing experience and specialization in otology, voice, swallowing, airway, and skull-base surgery — makes a significant difference. Her facility at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital represents a convergence of advanced technology, multidisciplinary team, and patient-centred care.
For individuals dealing with persistent ear problems, hearing loss, chronic sinus issues, voice disorders, or airway difficulties, seeking evaluation — not just by a general physician but by an experienced ENT specialist — can help identify root causes early and offer tailored, evidence-based interventions.
Final Thoughts & Reflective Closing
Visiting the ENT department at Kokilaben and interviewing Dr. Shama S Kovale gave me insight into how modern ENT care is evolving in Mumbai — blending technical expertise, advanced diagnostics, minimally invasive treatment and compassionate follow-up. It underscored an important truth: when it comes to ear, nose, throat, voice or hearing issues — early consultation, accurate diagnosis, and informed decision-making can change outcomes significantly.
If you or someone you know is struggling with persistent ear problems, hearing difficulty, recurring throat or sinus issues, or voice/swallowing trouble — it may be worth getting evaluated by a specialist.
Let’s enhance our natural well-being — and give our voice, our hearing, and our breath the care they deserve.
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Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital
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