appendix b: cochlear implants and hearing 229
Is a cochlear implant a good choice for your family?
If you are trying to decide whether a cochlear implant is a reasonable choice
for your child, here are some things to consider.
Are cochlear implants and professional support available
in your area?
Many communities do not have doctors or professionals who are trained
to work with cochlear implants. Most countries have some doctors who
can perform the operation, but they are usually in big city hospitals
where there may also be a cochlear implant center.
Having a cochlear implant center near you is important. You and your
child will visit the center many times for several years. Your Ministry
of Health or a school for the deaf might be able to tell you if there is a
cochlear implant center close to you.
Cost of the operation and cochlear implant
The operation, equipment, and years of training with professionals are
very expensive. In India, cochlear implants can cost about $10,000.
(Hearing aids cost about $75.) As with hearing aids, children can lose
or break parts that are worn outside the head. These parts can be very
expensive to replace.
In China, the operation, equipment,
and training equals 20 years of an
average worker’s salary.
In Mexico, the cost of a cochlear
implant equals 4 years of a
medical doctor’s salary.
Older and cheaper cochlear implants do not work as well as the newer,
more expensive equipment. In a few countries, programs offer the
cochlear implant for free or at low cost.
Cochlear implants, like other kinds of health care, should
not only be given to those who are rich enough to afford
them. If a cochlear implant is the best thing for a child, the
operation and support should be made available.
Helping Children Who Are Deaf (2004)