Former President of Otology and Neurootology Society and Ear Nose Throat and Head and Neck Surgery Specialist Prof. Dr. Ülkü Tuncer stated that a new era has begun in which hearing loss is regained thanks to the cochlear implant, but low awareness is an important obstacle to the widespread use of it.
prof. Dr. Tuncer gave information about the Delphi Consensus study and its results, which brought together important academicians and non-governmental organizations on hearing health and treatments, and developed global strategies for cochlear implantation of adult individuals. Dr.Tuncer stated that the study, in which the experts agreed on the implantation of adult individuals in our country, is an important guide in terms of raising awareness and determining the steps to be taken in terms of access to current treatments.
The International Delphi Consensus Statement, which sets out global standards on awareness and treatment approaches that will enable more widespread use of cochlear implants that can provide full hearing in adult patients with total hearing loss, draws attention to what can be done in adult individuals with severe and profound sensorineural hearing loss. According to the statistics shared after the study, it is stated that only 1 out of every 20 adults who can benefit from a cochlear implant has a cochlear implant.
Speaking on the subject, Prof. Dr. Ülkü Tuncer said: “While it is possible to hear more healthy with the use of cochlear implants, unfortunately the number of adults who will benefit from cochlear implants remains very low due to low awareness. Patients who can reach a definitive solution lose time by using hearing aids that do not fully meet their needs and receive only partial support. This results in irreversible loss of hearing and understanding abilities. We know that cochlear implants produced using innovative technologies provide better hearing and 8 times higher speech understanding than other solutions. We are getting very successful results with cochlear implant applications and rehabilitation programs in patients who are suitable as a result of the examination and examination by ENT doctors.”
prof. Dr. Ülkü Tuncer stated that life expectancy in Turkey is gradually increasing, as in developed countries, and that hearing loss that can occur at an early age, if not treated, causes individuals to lead an isolated life by separating them from social life for many years. Dr. Tuncer continued: “We will be able to overcome a serious public health problem and hearing disability due to permanent hearing loss, with the awareness of more patients about cochlear implant applications made within the scope of reimbursement by SGK at University and Education and Research Hospitals.”
Mentioning the importance of the International Delphi Consensus Statement in Turkey and in the world, Dr. Tuncer stated that thanks to this statement, all experts working in the field of hearing and patient associations have achieved an up-to-date roadmap and said: “The lack of information about hearing loss of individuals is one of the most important problems all over the world. Today, only 1 in 20 people who could benefit from a cochlear implant have it. Panelists, consisting of 31 experts consisting of otolaryngologists and audiologists from 13 different countries of the world, and the leaders of 7 Consumer and Professional Union non-governmental organizations, signed an international declaration, in fact, that technology can be used more in the treatment of hearing health, and thus hearing impairment can be greatly reduced. They have also declared the beginning of a new era in which it can be eradicated.”
Source: (BHA) – Beyaz News Agency
