In the first half of 2026, doctors restored hearing for 169 Kazakhstani children by installing high-tech cochlear implants. Most of the operations were performed on children under five years old. The state allocated 1.8 billion tenge for these operations. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
According to the Ministry of Health, out of the total number of operations, 124 were performed on children under five. During this period, auditory perception and speech are actively developing, so early detection of hearing impairments and treatment are of fundamental importance for the child's further development.
What is a cochlear implant
Cochlear implants are placed in cases of complete or very severe hearing loss, when conventional hearing aids are no longer effective. But the operation itself is only the beginning of a long journey.
About a month later, doctors turn on and adjust the implanted device. After that, the longest and most difficult stage begins — the child is taught to perceive sounds and speak. Audiologists and teachers work with the child, and parents are taught special exercises so they can practice with the child at home every day.
Advice for parents
For parents, early diagnosis should remain one of the key guidelines. If a child does not react to a voice, does not respond to familiar sounds, stops reacting to being addressed, or has significantly delayed speech development, it is necessary to check their hearing and consult a specialist.
Earlier, Kursiv wrote that the republic is changing its approach to restoring hearing and speech in children with cochlear implants. Instead of one-time short courses, the Ministry of Labor is introducing a system of continuous year-round support.
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