29 September 2021 14:51

97 persons underwent cochlear implant surgery under mandatory health insurance

According to reports submitted to the State Agency on Mandatory Health Insurance (Agency), 97 persons underwent cochlear implant surgery in the country under the mandatory health insurance program during January to August 2021. Out of these people 91 were children and 6 were adults.

It should be noted that cochlear implant surgery is covered under Benefit Package by the mandatory health insurance. According to the Benefit Package, the number of cochlear implant operations to be covered under the mandatory health insurance during the calendar year was set at 300. The medications and medical supplies used during the operation, the cochlear implant system (internal device), the speech processor (external device), at the same time sound adjustment of the device at least 3 times during the 12 months after the operation, as well as 36 sessions of speech therapist and 36 sessions of psychologist services provided for adaptation and integration of the insured during the postoperative rehabilitation period, are provided free of charge. The speech therapist services cover the development of the children’s hearing, speech, communication skills and sessions for the elimination of pronunciation, reading and writing issues. The services of a psychologist include studying the child's environment, the root of the problem, the development of the child's thinking and perception, and the measures to eliminate behavioral disorders.

Cochlear implant surgery requires special medical equipment and supplies and cannot be performed in state health institutions, so it is performing in health institutions contracted by the Agency. Operations are carried out according to medical indications on the principle of alternating the patient with the highest degree of danger to life and health with the patient with the least degree of danger to life and health.

According to the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers, the main conditions for the provision of cochlear implant surgery to the insured are as follows:

• This service applies to insured persons with congenital or acquired sensorineural hearing impairments.

• The age limit for the insured with congenital severe bilateral sensorineural hearing impairment is 5 (five) years, and the age limit for the insured with acquired severe bilateral sensorineural hearing impairment is 40 (forty) years.

It should be noted that cochlear implant surgery and the postoperative rehabilitation period help the persons who underwent the surgery to adapt to society, provide full recovery of hearing and save them from a lifelong disability. It is possible to restore the hearing by placing the upper device 1 month after the placement of the internal device, by the terms that the operated area should fully be recovered.

The main causes of hearing loss are genetic factors, i.e., complications due to incest, ear infections, infections during pregnancy or in childbirth.