Cochlear Implant Treatment in Turkey
About Cochlear Implant
Key Highlights
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Directly stimulates the auditory nerve, bypassing damaged hair cells in the inner ear.Can provide access to sound for individuals who receive little to no benefit from powerful hearing aids.Supports the development of speech and language skills in deaf or hard-of-hearing children.Often improves the ability to understand speech, especially in noisy environments, compared to hearing aids.Enhances overall quality of life, social interaction, and educational or professional opportunities.The internal implant is designed to last a lifetime, though external components may need upgrading./ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss in both ears.
- Limited benefit from appropriately fitted hearing aids (e.g., scoring ≤50% on sentence recognition tests in the best-aided condition).
- For children: Severe to profound hearing loss to support auditory, speech, and language development.
- Post-lingual deafness in adults who have lost hearing after acquiring speech and language.
- A strong motivation and realistic expectations for rehabilitation and auditory training post-surgery.
- No medical contraindications to surgery or general anesthesia.
- Access to appropriate post-implantation auditory rehabilitation (auditory-verbal therapy).
How to prepare
- Comprehensive audiological evaluation to confirm the degree and type of hearing loss.
- Medical evaluation by an ENT surgeon and possibly an anesthesiologist to assess fitness for surgery.
- MRI or CT scan of the temporal bone to evaluate cochlear anatomy and rule out abnormalities.
- Psychological or educational counseling to set realistic expectations for the patient and family.
- Trial with appropriate, powerful hearing aids to document limited benefit.
- Discussion of the risks, benefits, and long-term commitment to rehabilitation.
- Pre-operative instructions: Fasting for 6-8 hours before surgery, stopping certain medications as advised, and arranging for post-operative care and transport.
Risks & possible complications
- General risks of surgery and anesthesia (e.g., reaction to anesthesia, bleeding, infection).
- Injury to the facial nerve, which could cause temporary or permanent weakness of the facial muscles.
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ear) may persist or worsen.
- Dizziness or vertigo, which is usually temporary.
- Taste disturbances due to nerve proximity, often temporary.
- Meningitis (rare; vaccination is typically required before surgery to mitigate this risk).
- Failure of the device or device migration, requiring revision surgery.
- Poor hearing outcomes or limited benefit from the implant.
- Skin infection or irritation over the implant site.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Hospital stay is typically for observation; the patient can usually go home the same or next day.
- The surgical site must be kept clean and dry for about a week; avoid strenuous activity.
- Mild pain, swelling, or numbness around the ear is common and managed with medication.
- The implant is not activated immediately; the initial 'switch-on' and programming (mapping) occur 2-4 weeks post-surgery to allow for healing.
- Regular follow-up appointments with the audiologist are crucial for fine-tuning the sound processor's programs.
- Commitment to intensive auditory rehabilitation and speech therapy is essential for optimal outcomes, especially for children.
- Most normal activities can be resumed within a few weeks, but contact sports should be approached with caution to protect the implant site.
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Typical hospital stay:
1-2 days
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Expected recovery time:
3-6 weeks for initial healing; several months to a year for full auditory rehabilitation
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering cochlear implant in Turkey, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in Turkey with ent departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform cochlear implant. MediFyr helps you compare ent specialists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for cochlear implant compare across other countries where we have data.
| Country | Estimated cost range | Typical stay | Recovery time | View details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | USD 6,526 – USD 19,578 | 1-2 days | ~ 3-6 weeks for initial healing; several months to a year for full auditory rehabilitation | Know More |
| Turkey | USD 48,315 – USD 144,945 | 1-2 days | ~ 3-6 weeks for initial healing; several months to a year for full auditory rehabilitation | Know More |
I was a total wreck before...
I was a total wreck before my appointment. First time seeing a doctor on my own and I was convinced it was something serious. Dr. Muthusamy just had this calm way about him. He listened to all my jumbled-up worries, did a quick check, and explained everything in a way that actually made sense. Walked out feeling silly for being so nervous, but mostly just relieved.
ENT Specialists for Cochlear Implant
Explore experienced ent specialists who regularly perform cochlear implant and provide pre- and post-operative care in Turkey.
- 38 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Liv Hospital Ankara
- 38 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Liv Hospital Ankara
- 38 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Liv Hospital Ankara
- 38 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Liv Hospital Ankara
- 38 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Liv Hospital Ankara
- 38 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Liv Hospital Ankara
- 38 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Liv Hospital Ankara
- 38 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Liv Hospital Ankara
- 15 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Liv Hospital Ankara
- 15 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Liv Hospital Ankara
- 15 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Liv Hospital Ankara
- 15 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Liv Hospital Ankara
- 15 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Liv Hospital Ankara
- 15 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Liv Hospital Ankara
- 15 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Liv Hospital Ankara
- 15 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Liv Hospital Ankara
- 36 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Liv Hospital Ankara
- 36 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Liv Hospital Ankara
- 36 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Liv Hospital Ankara
- 36 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Liv Hospital Ankara