Epidemiological Survey on the Current Status of Cochlear Implantation in China

Cochlear implantation is an effective intervention for patients with severe to very severe sensorineural hearing loss. By the beginning of 2026, the total number of cochlear implants in China was about 180000. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) survey and data released by the National Bureau of Statistics of China, it is estimated that China's population with severe hearing loss is about 11 million, and the penetration rate is only 1.55. Among them, the adult penetration rate is particularly insufficient, which is far lower than the level of developed countries. In recent years, policy dividends have been intensively introduced in various parts of China. With the update of the rehabilitation service catalog, the price of a single set of cochlear implants in China has plummeted, and cochlear implants have progressed rapidly. At this historical turning point, a systematic analysis of the epidemiology of cochlear implants in my country Characteristics, policy effects and health economics benefits are of great significance for optimizing resource allocation and formulating national hearing care strategies.

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients who received cochlear implants in Chinese medical institutions between 1995 and 2026; * Patients with preoperative diagnosis of severe/very severe sensorineural deafness; * Implantation age ≥ 6 months; * Records containing at least gender, date of birth, date of surgery, domicile, surgical area, type of implant surgery (first unilateral implant/first bilateral implant/first contralateral implant/re-implant) and implant model information. Exclusion Criteria: * Lack of key information; * Other devices such as auditory brainstem implants (ABI) or middle ear implants.