After conducting diagnostics, medical specialists develop a treatment and rehabilitation plan. In cases of partial hearing loss, children are provided with hearing aids, as well as comprehensive rehabilitation. In the case of complete deafness, a referral for cochlear implantation is made, which has been possible in Kyrgyzstan since 2018 at the National Center for Maternal and Child Health. Currently, such surgeries are performed free of charge thanks to support from Qatar, and after the intervention, children continue to be rehabilitated under the supervision of doctors.
According to information from the Ministry of Health, screening is conducted in several maternity hospitals located in Bishkek and the regions - Osh, Jalal-Abad, and Issyk-Kul.
Audiological screening of newborns in Kyrgyzstan. How the program works. Photo by the press service of the Ministry of Health.
Experts emphasize that previously, hearing impairments in children were often detected only between the ages of three and six, which limited opportunities for effective treatment. However, the situation is gradually improving. In 2025, more than 30,000 newborns underwent screening.
According to global statistics, one to three newborns per thousand are born with hearing impairments. Considering that approximately 138,000 children are born in Kyrgyzstan each year, this means that between 130 and 300 newborns may have congenital hearing problems. Therefore, early diagnosis is critically important: with timely detection and proper rehabilitation, children have a much greater chance of full development and successful integration into society.
