The department is one of the oldest healthcare facilities focused on addressing communication disorders. Originally called the Speech Therapy Institute, it was founded in 1945 by physician and speech therapist Prof. MUDr. PhDr. Miloš Sovák, DrSc., and became part of the Pediatric University Hospital, later known as the Faculty Hospital in Motol. From 1964 to 1996, it was named the Phoniatric Department, with MUDr. Ivan Šupáček, CSc., as its head. In 1996, in accordance with its new responsibilities, its name was expanded to include the Phoniatric Department and Cochlear Implant Rehabilitation Center for Children. The facility is part of the ENT Clinic of the 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University. The long-term head of the department, psychologist PhDr. Eva Vymlátilová, played a significant role in its development. Since March 1, 2016, the department has been led by MUDr. Petr Myška. In May 2019, the department moved to the FN Motol campus. On January 1, 2022, MUDr. Zdenka Aksenovová, Ph.D., was appointed the head of the department.
As of January 1, 2024, our facility has become a Pediatric Audiology Center – a highly specialized center for the care of pediatric patients with permanent hearing impairment.
The center collaborates with the Institute for Postgraduate Medical Education (IPVZ) in the postgraduate education of doctors, speech therapists, and psychologists. Practical training is also provided for students of special pedagogy from the Faculty of Education at Charles University. In collaboration with the ENT (ORL) Clinic, seminars and internships are organized for professionals who care for cochlear implant users in their local communities.
The staff is actively engaged in the issues surrounding cochlear implants for children, publishing in professional journals and presenting their experiences at domestic and international conferences.
The center ensures complementary care for implanted children in their local area, typically in Special Education Centers at schools for the hearing impaired.