Cochlear Implant

Cochlear Implant in Turkey

A cochlear implant is an electronic apparatus that helps profoundly deaf or hard-of-hearing people improve their hearing. The auditory nerve is stimulated by the cochlear implant, which allows the auditory information to be sent directly to the brain. The implant takes in noises from the surrounding environment, turns them into electrical pulses, and then uses those pulses to activate the auditory nerve.

A surgical procedure is needed for the cochlear device to be implanted. During this procedure, the device’s cable is placed into the inner ear and its internal component is placed beneath the skin behind the ear, and the inner component is linked to the external component. After a while, the brain develops the ability to decode these signals into a kind of hearing that is capable of being distinguished as speech and other recognizable sounds.

Why Would You Need a Cochlear Implant?

It is advised for individuals who have issues with the following:

  • If the hearing aids do not enhance hearing loss
  • Possessing some hearing in both ears, although it’s not very clear.
  • Inability to understand spoken words—unable to grasp at least half of them without lip reading or using hearing aids
  • Despite wearing hearing aids, rely largely on lip reading

The Cochlear Implant in Turkey: How Does It Work?

Internal and exterior components make up a cochlear implant. The internal components are placed beneath the patient’s skin, while the external components are worn by the patient on the outside.

The external component is equipped with a sound processor. The environment’s sounds are collected by the processor and microphone, and they are subsequently transformed into electrical impulses. As a result, the sensation of sound is enhanced.

 

After being positioned beneath the skin, the internal implant component is then connected to an array of electrodes that are implanted in the inner ear through the process of implantation. The cochlear implant consists of a series of small wires that transmit impulses to the cochlear nerve, which then transmits this signal to the brain. This helps to provide a better hearing sense and bypasses the regions of the ear that are not functioning properly. Sound impulses are sent directly to the auditory (hearing) nerve by the sound processor and implant working together.

A cochlear implant differs from a hearing aid in that it enhances or stimulates the nerve system’s response to sound rather than amplifying the sound’s volume. The way the implant functions is by replacing the inner ear’s destroyed sensory hair cells.

What are the potential risks associated with Cochlear Implant?

  • Nerve damage
  • Dizziness, balance difficulties
  • Tinnitus which is ringing of the ear
  • Residual hearing loss

How to Prepare Most Effectively for Cochlear Implant in Turkey

When preparing for your cochlear implant in Turkey, you should keep the following in mind:

  • Please inform the medical team about the medicines, vitamins, herbal supplements you use during your medical evaluation.
  • Stop using aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, Vitamin E, herbal supplements, or any medications containing these compounds for two weeks before surgery.  
  • Stop drinking green tea at least 10 days before surgery.
  • It is recommended to refrain from smoking two weeks before and two weeks after surgery. Smoking delays recovery time and can result in scarring.
  • Avoid sun damage two weeks before surgery.
  • Do not eat or drink anything, including water, after midnight the night before your surgery.
  • Arrange for someone to stay with you for the first 24 hours after surgery.
  • If you have any medical condition, please bring all your medical results and reports with you.

What you can expect before cochlear implant in Turkey

A comprehensive medical evaluation is required for either you or your child in order to establish whether or not cochlear implants are a viable choice. An evaluation will be carried out by doctor, which may involve the following:

Hearing, speech, and sometimes balance tests

A physical examination to evaluate the patient’s health and anatomy

Imaging studies of the skull, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT), to evaluate the state of the cochlea and the structure of the inner ear

In order to establish which type of cochlear implant is most suitable for your requirements, you will collaborate with an audiologist, who is a medical practitioner who is trained in the evaluation and rehabilitation of hearing loss and other related concerns, as well as your surgeon. Cochlear implants are comprised of both internal and exterior components in every scenario. Here are some options:

 A cochlear implant that is placed inside the body and has an external unit that is attached to the anterior aspect of the head. The speech processor, microphone, and transmitter are all contained into the external unit, which is a single device. When necessary, it is able to be charged.

An implant that is placed behind the ear and contains an external sound processor in addition to an internal cochlear implant. A connection is made between the transmitter and the side of the head.

Investigations are being conducted on the possibility of developing a system that is completely implanted and does not have any external units.

After the cochlear implant procedure

For a brief period, you or your child may encounter:

Feelings of pressure or discomfort surrounding the implanted ear nausea or dizziness.

The majority of patients are well enough to go home the day after surgery.

The device will be turned on by an audiologist.

What sort of maintenance care is needed following cochlear implant in Turkey?

You should take a few simple precautions after receiving a cochlear implant to make sure it continues to function properly.

  • Every three months, you should change the microphone protector.
  • You should always keep an extra cover for your microphone protector with you.
  • You should frequently wipe off your sound processor with a dry, non-abrasive cloth.
  • When you’re not using the sound processor or sleeping, you should put it back in its casing.
  • You should make sure you have extra batteries with you or recharge your batteries.

Cochlear implant cost in Turkey

Notwithstanding their excellent success rates, Turkey’s hospitals are known for their affordably priced treatment options. In the past few years, medicine in Turkey has reached a world-class level thanks to the strong subsidizing of this industry and the swift implementation of American standards in clinical practice and doctor training.

The fact that Turkish clinics have earned a variety of international accreditations, such as that granted by the Joint Commission International (JCI), sometimes known as the “Gold Standard of Medicine,” is evidence that these clinics are in line with the high standards of modern medicine.

In Turkey, Cochlear Implant is as effective as 95% of the time, and this system costs roughly half as much as its European counterparts. In addition, the average price of basic goods, as well as the cost of food and other needs, are less expensive in this country than they are in the US and the EU.

FAQ

Most of the time, this time is either one day or you can be discharged the same day. It can be lengthened based on things like the patient’s health, age, and mental state.

Cochlear Implant in Turkey typically costs between $20.000 and $35.000. It's important to keep in mind that these costs are estimates and that the exact amount will change based on the desires of each patient, surgeon’s experience, and hospitals.

After the operation, patients may suffer from nerve damage, dizziness, balance difficulties, Tinnitus which is ringing of the ear, residual hearing loss, etc.

It is performed under general anesthesia.

In most cases, it will take 2 to 4 hours. It can be shorter or longer depending on the patient's health, anatomy, and also the surgeon's and team's experience.

2-3 days after your surgery, you can return to your normal activities.

It has a 95% success rate.