The first hearing restoration center for military personnel affected by combat has opened in Kyiv — a pioneering initiative launched by Rhino ENT Surgery Clinic with support from the charitable foundation “Pivnyk.” But according to doctors, the core issue isn’t just access to surgery. Many soldiers don’t even realize they have hearing damage.
“If an amputation is immediately visible, hearing problems can go unnoticed. If a soldier isn’t completely deaf, he often doesn’t suspect any hearing loss,” — states Humanitarian Media Hub in its report on the center’s opening.
Medical experts explain that blast waves, especially from drones, can completely destroy the eardrum. In such cases, hearing doesn’t recover on its own and requires surgical intervention. However, due to the lack of obvious symptoms, many soldiers don’t seek help. The new center in Kyiv offers diagnostics that help detect hidden injuries. If surgery is needed, it’s performed free of charge, with all costs covered by the “Pivnyk” foundation.
According to ENT specialist Ivan Hrynko, there are only about thirty professionals in Ukraine capable of performing hearing restoration surgeries. As a result, some soldiers have to wait up to six months for treatment. Meanwhile, the need continues to grow: medical estimates suggest that over 30,000 service members have hearing injuries requiring surgery. Currently, only around 3,000 such procedures are performed annually in Ukraine.
The first free surgery at Rhino Clinic was carried out a year ago. The patient, Vladyslav, said after the procedure: “Oh my God, I can hear you.” That moment sparked a broader initiative that now aims to restore hearing to thousands of defenders.
