For the 255th time, Professor Akira Ishiyama, a renowned otologist from the University of California Clinic, has entered the operating room at Erebuni Medical Center to perform a cochlear implantation, a procedure aimed at restoring hearing.
Outside the operating room, the mother of the child undergoing surgery awaits anxiously, seeking answers from the professor for the many questions swirling in her mind.
Each surgery represents a significant milestone in the child’s life—the opportunity to experience the sounds of the surrounding world.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Cochlear Implantation Program at Erebuni Medical Center, which has enabled hundreds of children to hear through this transformative procedure.
In this session, 13 children underwent surgery; however, prior to this, they underwent months of careful selection involving collaboration among doctors, audiologists, and educators.
Salbi Agarakyan and Akira Ishiyama also contributed remotely to the extensive preparations. The selection process for the hard-of-hearing children was followed by the implantation phase. Professor Ishiyama meticulously reviews each case, considering all individual characteristics before proceeding with cochlear implantation.
This time, surgeries were conducted using a state-of-the-art microscope, recognized as one of the best in the world. The Mitaka microscope, manufactured in Japan, provides exceptional image quality, unparalleled optical clarity, and precise control during procedures.
This charitable program has been established and continues to thrive thanks to the efforts of Salbi Agarakyan, head of the Armenian International Medical Foundation, along with support from the Government of Armenia, the Ministry of Health, and Harutyun Kushkyan, head of Erebuni Medical Center.
The integration of the latest technologies, ongoing training for specialists, and collaboration with leading global doctors have been pivotal in establishing Erebuni Medical Center as a regional center for cochlear implantation.
