Sidra Medicine Performs Qatar’s First-Ever Osia® Implant Hearing Procedure

New Implantation Device a Breakthrough for Patients with Hearing Loss

20 May 2025, Doha, Qatar – Sidra Medicine, a member of Qatar Foundation, has taken a pioneering step in auditory healthcare by successfully performing Qatar’s first implantation of the OSIA® OSI300 hearing device. The implant is a next-generation osseo-integrated hearing device that overcomes many limitations of older bone conduction systems.

Dr. Faisal Abdulkader, Division Chief of Otolaryngology and Audiology at Sidra Medicine said: “Performing Qatar’s first OSIA® implant marks a significant breakthrough in auditory rehabilitation, offering new hope to individuals with not medically treatable conductive hearing loss or single-sided deafness who previously had limited treatment options. This reflects Sidra Medicine’s commitment to cutting-edge medical technology, patient-centered innovation, and world-class expertise in the region.”

An osseo-integrated device is a medical implant that forms a direct connection with bone tissue, enabling sound to be transmitted more efficiently to the inner ear. It includes a small titanium implant placed using a minimally invasive, flapless technique, along with an external sound processor that converts sound into vibratory signals. These signals directly stimulate the inner ear, delivering improved clarity, better speech understanding, and enhanced sound localization, particularly in noisy environments.

The first three recipients of the device were children with distinct clinical histories, including a boy who lost hearing in one ear due to blast trauma, a girl born with a congenital inner ear malformation without prior audiological intervention, and a young boy with single-sided deafness caused by an inner ear anomaly.

Dr. Malek Abu Safieh, Clinical Director of Audiology at Sidra Medicine said: “The new implant has been life-changing for these children, restoring their ability to hear clearly, communicate more effectively, and participate confidently in academic and social settings. The technology also supports fast recovery and excellent cosmetic outcomes, making it ideal for children and those unable to benefit from traditional hearing aids.”

The milestone signals a new era in auditory care and underscores Sidra Medicine’s role as a regional leader in advanced, personalized healthcare. With more patients scheduled to receive the implant, including those with congenital craniofacial abnormalities, syndromic and anatomical challenges, the program is set to expand its life-changing impact for children across the country.

One of the parents whose son, Mohammed, was an implant recipient said: “Our son was born at Sidra Medicine, and we have been supported by their team from the very beginning. When we discovered that he had not developed a hearing nerve in his right ear, it was difficult news, but the ENT team at Sidra Medicine gave us hope. Thanks to their care and the new implant, our son can now enjoy the sounds he loves, from his favorite cartoons to music. We are truly grateful for the expertise and compassion we experienced at Sidra Medicine.”

Sidra Medicine’s Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT) and Audiology Department

Sidra Medicine’s ENT and Audiology Department offers one of the region’s most comprehensive and advanced services, designed to meet the needs of patients with precision and compassion. The Audiology team provides specialized care for hearing and balance conditions, including state-of-the-art hearing assessments, vestibular evaluations, and tailored treatment plans. ENT specialists perform complex surgical procedures using minimally invasive techniques, such as advanced sinus and endoscopic ear surgeries, pediatric sleep apnea treatment, anterior skull base repair, thyroid surgery, and other highly specialized head and neck procedures. Sidra Medicine’s multidisciplinary team delivers world-class care focused on achieving the best possible outcomes for every patient. For international inquiries, contact International.services@sidra.org. If you are based in Qatar, call 40033333 for more information.