CCTV News reports that China is home to approximately 27.8 million individuals with hearing disabilities, and cochlear implants have emerged as an effective treatment for deafness. However, the cost of these implants, often exceeding hundreds of thousands of yuan, has deterred many patients from pursuing this option. In recent years, over ten provinces, including Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang, have included cochlear implants in their medical insurance reimbursement policies, with the maximum coverage reaching up to 450,000 yuan.

Since last September, Jiangxi province has also integrated cochlear implants into its medical insurance system, resulting in over 170 patients receiving treatment to date. At Jiangxi Children’s Hospital, eight-month-old baby Rui is currently undergoing hearing tests after having undergone cochlear implant surgery last month. After a month of recovery, preparations for activating the device have begun.

Upon hearing sounds, the previously restless Rui immediately became quiet, widening his eyes as he searched for the source of the noise. When people clapped and cheered his name, Rui quickly turned to look at them.

His father, Chen Jian, expressed his overwhelming joy: “I can’t explain how excited I am. At least now he can hear the sounds of the world like a normal person.”

Rui failed his hearing test shortly after birth. A few months later, his parents took him to Jiangxi Children’s Hospital, where he was diagnosed with congenital bilateral deafness. The best existing treatment option was a cochlear implant, but the cost of 450,000 to 500,000 yuan posed a significant challenge for Rui’s family.

Living in rural Yingtan, Jiangxi, Rui’s father works away from home, while his mother tends to the farm. Just as they were feeling hopeless, the new medical insurance policy began to cover cochlear implants. The average reimbursement rate is around 70%, with families in low-income brackets receiving up to 90% coverage.

Chen Jian shared, “The original price was over 540,000 yuan, but with the inclusion in medical insurance and additional support from the local disabled persons’ federation, we ended up paying around 37,000 to 38,000 yuan after all reimbursements.”

Dr. Peng Xin, Deputy Chief Physician of the ENT Department at Jiangxi Children’s Hospital, noted that since the new insurance policy was implemented, they have treated over 120 families with hearing impairments, with average costs around 250,000 to 300,000 yuan, and reimbursement rates between 70% and 90%. “This enables timely diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation,” he added.

Cochlear implants can restore partial hearing for completely deaf individuals, and with speech training, normal communication can be achieved. It’s crucial for infants to receive implants as soon as hearing impairments are diagnosed, especially since the first three years are vital for auditory development.

Wang Shengming, a student at Peking University, shared his dream of having cochlear implants fitted for his deaf parents, enabling them to hear him call “Mom” and “Dad.” Supported by medical insurance and charity funds, his parents successfully received cochlear implants after being deaf for over 40 years.

Recently, Wang Tianen and Song Hui, a deaf couple from Henan, also received cochlear implants at Peking University People’s Hospital. Over the National Day holiday, they were able to engage in simple conversations with their son, who returned from Beijing.

Both Wang Tianen and Song Hui lost their hearing during childhood due to medication side effects, which affected their ability to speak. Nevertheless, they pursued their education in special education and now teach art at a special education school in Puyang City.

For over 40 years, the couple has fostered a positive attitude toward life, inspiring their own child and the students at their school. Wang Shengming, who was recently accepted into the Clinical Medicine program at Peking University, expressed, “Since I was born, I’ve never heard my parents’ voices. Their hearing issues have certainly posed some challenges for us.”

The surgeries for Wang Tianen and Song Hui were successful, although Song Hui’s procedure was complicated by structural abnormalities in her ear. After considerable effort from the medical team, both surgeries were completed successfully. As their wounds heal, they look forward to activating their cochlear implants. When the devices were turned on, astonished joy spread across their faces.

Finally experiencing sound, albeit still unclear, has filled them with hope. Moving forward, the couple will embark on an extensive program for auditory and speech rehabilitation.

Wang Shengming remarked, “Now when I call them, they respond. Even though we’re still in the early stages, I believe things will only improve. I’m grateful and happy that my parents are entering a world filled with sound, and I look forward to our future.”

The National Healthcare Security Administration has announced plans to include cochlear implants in the centralized procurement program. Cochlear implantation rates remain low in China, with only about 50,000 procedures performed annually, primarily due to the high costs. Despite some regions including the implants in their insurance plans, out-of-pocket expenses can still be significant for patients. To alleviate the financial burden on both the healthcare system and patients, the administration intends to expand the procurement of high-value medical consumables, including cochlear implants.

Deputy Director Yan Qinghui stated, “We are committed to expanding and improving the centralized procurement of medicines and high-value medical consumables. Cochlear implants will be included in this initiative.”

Since the implementation of a national bulk-buy policy for pharmaceuticals in 2018, the average price reduction for procured medicines has exceeded 50%. The high cost of cochlear implants has been a significant barrier to their inclusion in insurance coverage. If prices can be significantly lowered through procurement, more regions may integrate cochlear implants into their insurance plans, offering dual benefits of reduced costs and reimbursements for hearing-impaired patients, especially those under the age of three who are in critical periods for auditory development. This will ensure they can receive timely treatment, leading to improved outcomes in hearing and speech training.