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Enter the dragon--China's journey to the hearing world

Qi Liang1, Brendan Mason

  • 1Cochlear Limited, China. qliang@cochlear.com

Cochlear Implants International
|March 5, 2013
PubMed

Insights

China is expanding cochlear implant (CI) services for children with hearing loss, with government funding and training programs growing rapidly. Despite less than 5% penetration, the infrastructure for CI is developing quickly to meet the needs of deaf children.

Area of Science:

  • Otorhinolaryngology
  • Pediatric Audiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • China's large population (1.3 billion) has a high incidence of childhood hearing impairment, with 30,000 babies born with hearing loss annually.
  • Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS) has been implemented nationwide since 1999, reaching 95% coverage in urban areas by 2010.
  • Severe-to-profound deafness affects an estimated 115,000 children under seven in China.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current status and expansion of cochlear implant (CI) services for children in China.
  • To highlight government initiatives, financing, and professional training in pediatric CI care.
  • To assess the progress and future outlook of CI penetration and outcomes in China.

Main Methods:

  • Review of national newborn hearing screening programs and their implementation status.
  • Analysis of cochlear implant (CI) statistics, including recipient numbers, age groups, and government funding projects.
  • Examination of training programs for surgeons, audiologists, and rehabilitation specialists.
  • Overview of ongoing outcome studies and the development of standardized testing for CI recipients.

Main Results:

  • Over 10,000 cochlear implants (CIs) have been performed since 1995, with 85% in children under seven.
  • Significant government investment is funding CI surgeries, rehabilitation, and devices for thousands of children annually.
  • Training initiatives are in place to develop expertise in CI surgery and audiology across China.

Conclusions:

  • Cochlear implantation is rapidly expanding in China, supported by increasing government funding and infrastructure development.
  • Despite current low penetration (<5% of pediatric candidates), the trajectory indicates significant future growth in CI services.
  • Ongoing efforts in training and outcome assessment are crucial for sustained development and improved patient care in pediatric audiology.
Abstract

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