Key points:
- Servicemen and women, as well as individuals wounded or injured as a result of military operations, are entitled to free cochlear implants
- A referral for surgery now only requires a report from an audiologist — disability status is no longer a prerequisite
- The external part of the hearing implant is replaced at public expense once every five years
- Information about medical facilities where operations are performed is provided by an audiologist
The group of Ukrainians eligible for free cochlear implant surgery has expanded significantly. It now includes military personnel and members of the rank-and-file and commanding staff of Ukraine’s security and defence forces, as well as civilians who sustained injuries, concussions, disabilities or illnesses as a result of Russian military aggression during the period of martial law. Previously, only people with disabilities and children with disabilities were eligible for a free hearing implant.
Along with the expansion of the categories of recipients, the patient pathway has also changed. Now, a referral for a free operation requires only a report from an audiologist. It is no longer necessary to undergo a separate procedure to establish disability status or to obtain documents from the Medical and Social Assessment Commission (MSAC) or the State Medical and Social Assessment Commission (SMSAC). This reduces red tape and enables people with severe hearing impairments to begin treatment more quickly.
An important detail concerns equipment replacement. The external part of the cochlear implant system, particularly in the case of binaural fitting, is replaced at the expense of the state or local budget once every five years. This means that the patient is legally guaranteed the right to regular system updates and can count on continuous rehabilitation.
Patients can find out which medical facilities perform such operations directly from their audiologist.
Read also: Hearing restoration center to double number of free surgeries for military personnel
