"ABI is a multidisciplinary approach of three departments: Otology/Neurotology, Neurosurgery, and Audiology. If these departments work in harmony, we have a successful intervention."
Join us in Ankara on 22–24 November 2026 for an intensive, multidisciplinary training experience in Auditory Brainstem Implantation — bringing together otologists, neurosurgeons, and audiologists in the spirit of collaborative surgical excellence.
Auditory Brainstem Implantation is a multidisciplinary approach involving three departments: Otology/Neurotology, Neurosurgery, and Audiology. Each department has different responsibilities during the management of these patients. If these departments work in harmony, we have a successful intervention.
"We started Auditory Brainstem Implantation in Hacettepe University 25 years ago. After performing more than 220 ABI surgeries as a team, I think the surgical prerequisites were an excellent suggestion — though not sufficient alone. The team must also be very experienced in the audiological and rehabilitative management of challenging CI patients."
This forms the basis of the Hacettepe ABI Course. We plan to share our experience in otology, neurosurgery, and audiology with experienced implant teams from around the world.
The course will include a theoretical programme, two live surgeries (one primary, one revision), a hands-on cadaveric section for otologists and neurosurgeons, and a practical audiological session with implanted patients.
Observe a primary ABI procedure and a revision case performed by the Hacettepe team, with real-time commentary and Q&A.
Supervised cadaveric heads session at Hacettepe's Temporal Bone Laboratory for ENT surgeons and neurosurgeons.
Audiologists work directly with implanted patients during the fitting and rehabilitation practical workshop.
Audiology team joins live surgery on Day 3 at 10:30 for hands-on intraoperative testing experience.
| 11:00 – 12:30 |
Panel 1: Preoperative Evaluation
Audiology Preoperative audiological evaluation
ENT Indications & radiology Neurosurgery Anatomy |
Hacettepe University |
| 12:30 – 13:30 · Lunch | ||
| 13:30 – 15:00 |
Panel 2: Surgery
Neurosurgery Surgical steps
ENT Implant bed & positioning Audiology Intraoperative testing |
Hacettepe University |
| 15:00 – 15:30 · Coffee Break | ||
| 15:30 – 17:00 |
Panel 3: Postoperative Evaluation & Follow-up
Neurosurgery Complications
ENT Postoperative follow-up Audiology Fitting & follow-up — cortical evaluation, language evaluation |
Hacettepe University |
| 19:00 – 21:30 · ✦ Dinner · Ankara Castle | ||
| 08:30 – 12:30 |
Live ABI Surgery — All Participants
All Disciplines Live primary ABI surgery with real-time commentary and interactive discussion
|
Hacettepe University |
| 13:00 – 14:00 · Lunch | ||
| 14:00 – 18:30 |
Parallel Practical Sessions (coffee break available every 2 hours)
ENTNeurosurgery Hands-on course on cadaveric heads — Temporal Bone Laboratory
Audiology Fitting & Rehabilitation Course with implanted patients |
Temporal Bone Lab / Hacettepe |
| 19:30 – 22:00 · ✦ Dinner · GOP | ||
| 08:30 – 12:30 |
Live ABI Surgery + Parallel Sessions (coffee break every 2 hours)
ENTNeurosurgery Live ABI surgery — observation & discussion
Audiology Fitting & Rehabilitation session ★ Audiology joins surgery at 10:30 for intraoperative testing |
Hacettepe University |
| 12:30 – 13:00 |
Questions & End of Course
All Participants Open Q&A · Certificates of Participation
|
Hacettepe University |
| 13:00 – 14:00 · Lunch | ||
| 14:00 · Departure | ||
Surgeons with cochlear implant and skull base surgery experience. Full access to theoretical panels, live surgery, and cadaveric hands-on laboratory sessions.
Neurosurgeons experienced in posterior fossa and acoustic neuroma surgery. Participation in surgical panels, live OR observation, and cadaveric dissection lab.
Clinical audiologists with cochlear implant experience. Dedicated fitting and rehabilitation workshop with implanted patients, plus intraoperative testing participation on Day 3.
Teams comprising all three disciplines — ENT, Neurosurgery, and Audiology — are strongly encouraged to register together. The course is designed around interdisciplinary collaboration, reflecting the Hacettepe model of ABI care.
For registration and further information, please contact the course coordinator directly. Team registrations (ENT + Neurosurgeon + Audiologist) are warmly encouraged.