Patient Experience
My 4-year-old son, Leo, developed sudden, severe hearing loss after a viral infection. We were terrified. Dr. Güler Berkiten was our third opinion, and she was the first to truly listen. Instead of jumping to conclusions, she spent an hour observing how he reacted to different sounds in her office—not just clinical tests. She diagnosed a rare complication called labyrinthitis and started a conservative treatment plan involving vestibular therapy and specific medications. She even taught us games to play at home to help his balance. Her approach was so gentle and child-centric; Leo, who was afraid of doctors, now calls her 'the ear lady who plays.' His hearing has improved by 80% in three months. She saved his childhood.
As a 72-year-old retired teacher, my chronic sinusitis and persistent post-nasal drip had been dismissed as 'just aging' for years. It affected my sleep, my voice, and my joy of reading aloud to my grandchildren. Dr. Berkiten approached my case like a detective. She ordered a specific type of sinus CT scan others hadn't and discovered a complex, narrow anatomical blockage that wasn't visible on standard scans. She explained my endoscopic sinus surgery with 3D models, which made me feel in control. The surgery was at Acibadem Maslak, and her post-op care was meticulous. For the first time in a decade, I can breathe through my nose. She gave me back the simple pleasure of a deep, clear breath.
This was no routine checkup. I'm a professional wind instrument player, and I developed a sudden, sharp pain and pressure imbalance in my left ear during an overseas concert tour. It was a potential career-ender. I saw Dr. Berkiten as an emergency case upon my return. Her specialty in the physiology of the Eustachian tube was a godsend. She diagnosed me with barotrauma from the flight pressure changes, compounded by overuse. Her treatment was unconventional: she prescribed specific breathing and swallowing exercises alongside a short course of medication, and advised me on precise techniques to equalize pressure when flying. She understood the artistic imperative. I was back to rehearsals in two weeks. She treats the instrument, but more importantly, the musician.
My teenage daughter needed a complex revision tonsillectomy after a failed childhood surgery left her with scar tissue and chronic pain. We were apprehensive. Dr. Berkiten's pre-operative consultation was unlike any other. She used a flexible nasoendoscope in the office to show us, on a screen, the exact anatomy of the problem, making the 'why' of the surgery crystal clear. She discussed the unique risks of revision surgery with absolute honesty but also immense confidence. The surgery was successful, and her follow-up protocol was intense—daily check-ins via her team for the first week. She managed my daughter's pain aggressively and prevented any complications. Her blend of high-tech diagnostics, surgical precision, and relentless post-op care turned a feared procedure into a healing journey.