Seoul National University Bundang Hospital Achieves 2,000th Cochlear Implant Surgery

The Auditory Rehabilitation Center at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital (Professors Koo Ja-won, Choi Byung-yun, and Song Jae-jin of the Department of Otolaryngology) announced on the 18th that it has achieved a cumulative total of 2,000 cochlear implant surgeries.

Since commencing cochlear implant surgeries in 2005, the center reached 500 cases in 2019, followed by 1,000 in 2021, and 1,500 in 2023, culminating in the milestone of 2,000 surgeries in March of this year.

Cochlear implant surgery is an auditory rehabilitation method for patients with severe hearing loss, involving the implantation of electrodes that replace the function of the cochlea, directly transmitting signals to the auditory nerve to enable hearing. Unlike hearing aids, which amplify external sounds, cochlear implants convert sound into electrical signals to provide auditory information.

This surgical intervention can be a particularly effective solution for patients with significant cochlear damage or congenital hearing impairments.

The center provides optimized precision medicine tailored to each patient, utilizing electroencephalography, imaging, and genetic analysis to implement personalized treatment plans. Furthermore, the center has established a collaborative approach involving various clinical departments and a systematic treatment process, thereby increasing surgical success rates and hearing restoration rates.

Research activities related to hearing loss and cochlear implants led by Professor Choi Byung-yun, along with continuous development of treatment methods, are considered key factors driving this growth. The center is at the forefront of the latest trends, including: hybrid cochlear implant surgery to maximize the preservation of natural hearing in pediatric patients with high-frequency hearing loss; precision medicine-based surgery that utilizes genetic testing for hearing loss and molecular genetic diagnosis to predict prognosis; pull-back surgery involving electrode repositioning; and the establishment of early mapping after surgery.

Professor Koo Ja-won stated, “While the increase in the number of surgeries is significant, what is more important is improving the qualitative success rate. Sufficient consultation with patients and their guardians to establish realistic expectations, along with consistent speech therapy and the mapping process, play a pivotal role in increasing patient satisfaction.”