Antalya children regain hearing through cochlear implants

Two children in Antalya, Eylül Kızılkaya and Aybars Avcı, have significantly improved their hearing and speech abilities through cochlear implant procedures, commonly referred to as ‘bionic ears.’ The surgeries were performed by ENT specialist Prof. Dr. Erdem Atalay Çetinkaya at the Antalya Training and Research Hospital.

Eylül Kızılkaya, who was diagnosed with severe hearing loss at approximately 1.5 years old, underwent bilateral implants before the age of two after conventional hearing aids proved ineffective. Following the surgery and subsequent rehabilitation, she has closed the gap with her peers by approximately 95 percent. Aybars Avcı also underwent similar treatment to improve his communication and social integration.

Medical experts emphasize that early diagnosis and regular post-operative rehabilitation are critical for a child's social and cognitive development. In Turkey, these high-cost operations are covered by the Social Security Institution (SGK) for patients who meet the necessary medical criteria.