Cochlear implantation in Türkiye

Cochlear implantation in Türkiye is one of the most common ear-nose-throat surgeries. Although the cochlear implant is manufactured outside Türkiye, the success of this operation depends on the medical expertise of Turkish doctors

Why is a cochlear implant performed?

If you are deaf or have a severe hearing loss, the cochlear implant will help you recover the sounds you have missed!

It is not a hearing aid that makes sounds louder, but rather a small device that the doctor places in the ear through surgery. This device sends impulses directly to the auditory nerve, which transmits sound signals to the brain.

What is the cochlea?

The cochlea does not normally restore 100/100 hearing again, but it can help with hearing sounds. Most people with severe hearing loss can understand speech in person or over the phone better than they could with other hearing aids.

It can also help distinguish sounds including phone or doorbells and alarms or even enjoy music again.

How does a cochlear implant work?

The cochlear implant is intended for children and adults with sensorineural hearing loss. This condition usually involves damage to the tiny hair cells in the cochlea of the inner ear. Normally, these hair cells pick up the vibrations of sounds and send them to the brain via the auditory nerve. When these cells are damaged, sound cannot reach that nerve.

The cochlear implant bypasses damaged hair cells and sends signals directly to the auditory nerve.

The cochlear apparatus has two parts:

1- The receiver that is placed under the skin through surgery.

2- A speech processor that the patient wears behind his ear to enhance hearing. The outer part is slightly larger than a regular behind-the-ear hearing aid.

during the cochlear implantation process

The surgeon implants the receiver under the skin and behind the ear through a small incision. Then a receiver is attached to electrodes which will be placed in the cochlea of the inner ear. The surgery takes an hour or two, and it is likely that you can go home the same day.

One to two weeks after the procedure, the doctor will install a speech therapist. The patient wears a microphone that looks like an earphone and is placed behind the ear.

The processor may be connected to the microphone. These processors also offer various options for connecting to assistive listening devices and other technology such as the iPod. Some contain rechargeable batteries, which can lower costs over time.

When there are sounds around you, the microphone and processor will pick them up and convert them into electrical impulses. The transmitter then sends these encoded signals to a receiver located under the skin. The receiver then delivers the signals to the electrodes inside the cochlea. These electrodes stimulate the auditory nerve, which transmits the signals to the brain, where it recognizes them as sound.

What are the advantages of a cochlear implant?

When you suffer from a serious hearing problem, the device can change your life!
The degree of benefit from the device varies from one patient to another.
You may be able to hear speech at a near-normal level.
You may be able to understand speech without lip reading.
It’s easy to talk on the phone and watch TV.
You may be able to hear music better than before.
You can hear different types of sounds including soft, medium and loud.
You can control your voice better so that it is easier for others to understand you.

Do I need a cochlear implant?

According to the American Speech-Language Association (SLH) standards

Cochlear implants are for adults who have:

Severe to very severe hearing loss in both ears.
Hearing loss after they have already learned speech and language.
People with limited hearing aids.
healthy people, which makes surgery not risky.
Those with a strong desire and motivation to listen better.
Good understanding of what the device will do for them and what it won’t.

Cochlear implantation for children

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed that children can receive these devices from the age of one year.

Cochlear implantation can be done in Türkiye for most children diagnosed with hearing loss. Cochlear implantation at an early age is very important because it is a sensitive period during which the child learns speaking and language skills.

Devices work best for children who:

They have severe hearing loss in both ears.
Other hearing aids do not affect them adequately
They are in good health and do not have medical problems that would make the surgery risky.
Are ready to learn how to communicate with a cochlear implant
Have support from their parents, teachers, and school programs to help them acquire listening skills
be younger than the age of five.
They join intensive speech therapy programs to teach speaking skills.

A study found that children who received cochlear implants before the age of 18 months had significant improvements in hearing, speaking, and learning. But the devices can also help older children who are losing their hearing after they have learned to speak.

What do I need to do a cochlear implant in Türkiye?

If you have severe or profound hearing loss, the team of cochlear implant experts at REHABTÜRK Foundation can help you decide if the device and surgery are right for you.

Therefore, you must communicate with your medical advisor at REHABTÜRK Foundation to evaluate the case via remote, and then your case is presented to specialized doctors to estimate the extent of your need for a cochlear implant.

These experts usually include an ear specialist, audiologist, psychologist, counselor, and speech-language pathologist. The team works together to examine you, perform surgery, provide necessary care, and follow up after treatment.

Request a Free Consultation.