Forty Moldovan children have undergone a cochlear implant operation to partially regain hearing since 2014 until now. Another 40 children are waiting for such an operation that costs €20,000 to €30,000. The National Health Insurance Company covers only a part of the costs. The rest of the money is the contribution of parents or donors, IPN reports.

The hearing loss is confirmed at the National Center of Audiology of the National Children’s Hospital “Emilian Cotaga”. The Center’s director Anghelina Chiaburu said deafness can be diagnosed during the first days of life. To prevent a hearing problem that can develop in time and to receive appropriate treatment, it is very important for the parents to regularly take their children to an otolaryngologist and, if necessary, to an audiologist.

The cochlear implant is recommended in the treatment of severe or full loss of hearing. A cochlear implant does not cure deafness or hearing impairment, but is a prosthetic substitute which directly stimulates the cochlea.

Press officer of the Ministry of Health Stela Cheptene said of the 40 cochlear implant operations in Moldovan children, 14 were performed in the country with the involvement of foreign specialists.

The state can contribute at most 25% of the costs. The decision to offer the money is taken by the commission for the selection of patients for costly treatment and/or examinations, which includes representatives of the Ministry of Health and the National Health Insurance Company.

Over 1,460 children with different hearing impairments, aged between one month and 18 years, are monitored at the National Center of Audiology.