RCHI The Leading Cochlear Implant Surgery Solution in Pakistan
Cochlear implants have transformed the lives of thousands in Pakistan, restoring hearing for children and adults with profound hearing loss. If your loved one is a candidate for cochlear implant surgery, understanding the price, procedure, top clinics, brands, and cost assistance programs is crucial for making the best decision. RCHI Pak provides expert guidance and advanced audiological care for cochlear implants, collaborating with leading surgeons in Islamabad, Lahore, and throughout Pakistan.
What is a cochlear implant?
A cochlear implant is an advanced electronic device that improves hearing ability. Unlike hearing aids, which amplify sounds, cochlear implants bypass the damaged parts of the inner ear (cochlea) to provide sound signals directly to the brain. Child cochlear implant surgery is a life-changing medical procedure that helps individuals with hearing loss regain the ability to hear sounds.
Who can they help?
Cochlear implants can help people who:
- have moderate to profound hearing loss in both ears
- receive little or no benefit from hearing aids
- score 50% or less on sentence recognition tests done by a hearing professional in the ear to be implanted
- score 60% or less on sentence recognition tests done by hearing professionals in the non-implanted ear or both ears with hearing aids.
Many people have cochlear implants in both ears (bilateral). Listening with two ears can improve your ability to identify the direction of sound and separate the sounds you want to hear from those you don’t.
How do they work?
Many people suffer from hearing loss because their hair cells in the inner ear (or cochlea) are damaged. The cochlear implant enables sound to be transferred to your hearing nerves, allowing you to hear. The process is described below:
- A sound processor worn behind the ear or on the body captures the sound and turns it into digital code. The sound processor has a battery that powers the entire system.
- The sound processor transmits the digitally coded sound through the coil on the outside of your head to the cochlear implant.
- The implant converts the digitally coded sound into electrical impulses and sends them along the electrode array placed in the cochlea (the inner ear).
- The implant’s electrodes stimulate the cochlea’s hearing nerve, which then sends the impulses to the brain, where they are interpreted as sound.
Leading Cochlear Implant Brands
Many Cochlear Implant Brands are available in Lahore, offering unique features, such as sound clarity, microphone sensitivity, and wireless connectivity.
- Cochlear Nucleus
- MED-EL
- Neubio Cochlear
- Advanced Bionics
Types of Cochlear Implants
Cochlear implants are classified based on their technology, placement, and usage. There are two main types of cochlear implants:
- Behind-the-Ear (BTE) Processors – BTE processors are the most common option, designed to sit comfortably behind the ear. They are lightweight, reliable, and suitable for both children and adults.
- Off-the-Ear (OTE) Processors – More discreet, ideal for active users.
Cochlear Implant Costs in Pakistan
The cochlear implant price in Pakistan ranges from PKR 1.8 million to PKR 3 million per ear, which includes hospitalization, device cost, surgery, follow-up, and speech therapy. Candidates for cochlear implants undergo comprehensive assessments—hearing tests, medical clearance, device selection, psychological counseling, and rehabilitation planning. The procedure takes 2–3 hours under general anesthesia. In most cases, hospitalization lasts 1–2 days. After surgery, rehabilitation includes device activation, mapping, speech therapy, and periodic upgrades to the external processor.
Cochlear Implant Age Limit in Pakistan
Another common question involves the age limit for cochlear implants in Pakistan. For children, the recommended age is between 1 and 5 years old for optimal speech development, while there is no strict age limit for adults.