The “We Achieved It Together, Now It’s Time to Inspire” program, carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey, the Cochlear Implant Association (CID), the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), and Near East University, brought together experts, users, and families to raise awareness in the field of cochlear implants and hearing health.
Near East University, ranked among the top 500 universities in the world, hosted an important program aimed at increasing awareness in the field of hearing health. The “We Achieved It Together, Now It’s Time to Inspire” program, organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey, the Cochlear Implant Association (CID), the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), and the Audiology Department of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Near East University, brought together cochlear implant users, their families, academics, and health professionals under one roof for three days.
The opening speech of the program was given by the Minister of Health, Dr. Hakan Dinçyürek. The event, which saw a large turnout, included the participation of Near East University Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Umut Aksoy, Hacettepe University Faculty of Health Sciences Audiology Department Founding Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Gonca Sennaroglu, Hacettepe University Faculty of Health Sciences Audiology Department Head Prof. Dr. Esra Yücel, Cochlear Implant Association (CID) Board President and EURO-CIU Vice President Aylin Özgür, Cyprus Hearing and Speech Impaired Foundation (KİKEV) Board of Trustees President Bahire Doğru, and Cochlear Implant Association President Emine Mine Sönmez Bozat.
The program, carried out at the Prof. Dr. Ümit Hassan Hall of the Near East University Grand Library, combined scientific sessions with real-life experiences. The event covered many topics ranging from early diagnosis of hearing loss to rehabilitation processes, and the success stories of cochlear implant users inspired the participants. Simultaneous sign language interpretation provided throughout the talks and presentations was one of the program’s highlights in terms of accessibility and inclusion.
Cochlear implant technology, used in cases of congenital or acquired severe hearing loss, stimulates the auditory nerve by converting sounds into electrical signals, significantly contributing to individuals’ ability to perceive sounds and better understand speech. The program contributed to strengthening social awareness by sharing current scientific developments in this field, as well as making visible the experiences of users and their families.
Art and life stories marked the first day of the program…
The program also featured special events that inspired participants. A piano recital performed by young cochlear implant users, featuring Near East Primary School students Ümit Mehmet Tezel and Pars Doygunel, received great acclaim. Ardan Bozat also added a different energy to the event with his basketball performance. As part of the program, a video titled “Together for Hearing Health with the Unifying Power of Sport”, featuring Efe Özgür, was shown to the participants. The project, prepared with the support of the Çorlu Fenerbahçe Supporters Association and Fenerbahçe Sports Club, aimed to raise awareness of hearing health among different segments of society through the unifying power of sports. At the ceremony, Ümit Mehmet Tezel and Pars Doygunel from Near East Primary School were awarded plaques by the TRNC Minister of Health, Dr. Hakan Dinçyürek, for their musical performances, Ardan Bozat for his basketball performance, and Gülce Özsaltık, Tünay Özyay, and Çise Özılgaz from Near East College for their visual art contributions to the “Stories Heard with Colors” painting exhibition.
Current approaches were discussed in scientific sessions…
The first day’s panel, “We Succeeded Together, Now It’s Time to Inspire”, was moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Filiz Aslan. In this session, Betül Mutluç, Hüseyin Onur İpek, Hatice Karataş, and Deray Derim shared their personal experiences regarding the cochlear implant usage process. In the panel titled “Families Tell Their Stories: Experiences on the Hearing Journey”, moderated by Aylin Özgür, Gülçin Özsaltık, Rana Serdaroğlu, and Salise Doygunel shared their experiences and challenges in their children’s hearing journey with the participants. The families’ heartfelt accounts once again highlighted the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate intervention.
On the second day of the program, current scientific developments in the field of hearing health were assessed by expert speakers. Prof. Dr. Ayça Çiprut presented current approaches to diagnosis and intervention processes in hearing loss, while Assoc. Prof. Dr. Duygu Duman addressed the relationship between hearing loss and genetic factors. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Betül Çiçek-Çınar shared important information regarding follow-up processes after cochlear implantation, and Specialist Hatice Eğitmen described the newborn hearing screening process conducted in Northern Cyprus.
Lecturer Ayşenur Küçük Ceyhan discussed the clinical evaluation and follow-up process in auditory processing disorders, while Specialist Müjgan Demir addressed the importance of newborn hearing screenings with her presentation titled “Understanding Silence.” Specialist Bensu Akçin shared the adjustment processes in cochlear implant users with her presentation titled “The Magical World of Mapping”, and Dr. Özlem İçöz emphasized the importance of sharing experiences and knowledge.
Rehabilitation processes and quality of life were the focus…
On the third and final day of the program, rehabilitation processes after hearing loss and practices aimed at improving quality of life were discussed. Assist. Prof. Dr. Ebru Kösemihal assessed the effects of auditory amplification use on daily life, while Assoc. Prof. Dr. Görkem Ertuğrul shared information on pediatric vestibular rehabilitation processes. Specialist Banu Ergünal-Kös drew attention to critical periods in language and speech development, while Assoc. Prof. Dr. Filiz Aslan explained the importance of cognitive processes in auditory rehabilitation. Specialist Ayten Yaşamsal-Ekdal addressed the relationship between language and auditory perception, while Dr. Sevginar Önder provided evaluations regarding the clinical follow-up processes of patients with additional hearing loss disabilities.
Dr. Hakan Dinçyürek: “We are ready to do whatever is necessary.”
Saying, “I am very delighted to be with you at this event held in our country”, Minister of Health Dr. Hakan Dinçyürek stated that the meeting has multifaceted importance, adding, “We firmly believe that this meeting will contribute to science, our patients, and our future.” Emphasizing that hearing ability plays a significant role in individuals’ social lives and communication, Dr. Dinçyürek said, “Hearing ability is an important factor that enables a person to communicate more actively and healthily with society.” He stated that this ability is decisive in many areas, from education to working life, and contributes to an individual’s success and independence.
Dr. Dinçyürek also drew attention to the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. Dinçyürek stated that protecting hearing health is critical, adding, “Early diagnosis and treatment are very important in this regard.” Touching upon the scientific aspect of the meeting, Dr. Dinçyürek emphasized the need to evaluate developments in the field of hearing health, saying, “We must address the point we have reached today and our plans for the future together with all stakeholders.” Stating that the TRNC Ministry of Health closely follows the work in this field, Dr. Dinçyürek concluded by saying, “We are ready to do whatever is necessary.”
