After conducting the diagnosis, doctors determine the next steps in treatment and rehabilitation. Children with partial hearing loss are prescribed hearing aids and comprehensive rehabilitation. In cases of complete deafness, infants are referred for cochlear implantation, which has been performed in Kyrgyzstan since 2018 at the National Center for Maternal and Child Health. Thanks to support from Qatar, these surgeries are now performed free of charge, and children continue rehabilitation under the supervision of specialists after the procedure.
Audiological screening is conducted in several maternity hospitals located in Bishkek, as well as in the Osh, Jalal-Abad, and Issyk-Kul regions.
Audiological screening of newborns in Kyrgyzstan. How the program works. Photo by the press service of the Ministry of Health.
Several years ago, hearing impairments in children were often detected only at the ages of three to six, which limited correction opportunities. However, the situation is improving: in 2025, over 30,000 newborns underwent screening.
According to global statistics, one to three newborns out of a thousand are born with hearing impairments. Considering that approximately 138,000 children are born in Kyrgyzstan each year, this means that about 130-300 newborns may suffer from congenital hearing disorders. Therefore, early diagnosis is crucial: with timely detection and proper rehabilitation, children have a high chance of successful development and social adaptation.
