Help soon available to maintain cochlear implants

Cochlear implants have many parts, like batteries, cables, coils, magnets and external processor components, that need to replaced as they wear out, the cost of which has to be borne by the family of child patients. — Filepic

For a child born with severe to profound hearing loss, a cochlear implant is nothing short of a modern medical miracle.

However, the cost of obtaining and keeping the technology working often causes significant financial burden to families.

While implantation surgery can be government-funded or charity-supported, Universiti Malaya (UM) senior ear, nose and throat (ENT) consultant Prof Datuk Dr Prepageran Narayanan shares that the ongoing hidden costs of cochlear implant maintenance are frequently borne entirely by the families.

“In our country, our otologists have personally encountered parents who struggle to afford even the most basic items needed to keep their children’s implants functioning.

“Replacement batteries, cables, coils, magnets and worn external processor components can be financially overwhelming, particularly for families from low- and lower-middle-income backgrounds.”

He explains that without proper maintenance, these sophisticated implants become unusable electronics.

“This leaves children suddenly deprived of sound access and reversing crucial developmental gains in hearing, speech and education,” he notes.

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To address this critical gap, a new charity foundation was launched in conjunction with the Asia Pacific Symposium on Cochlear Implants and Related Sciences (APSCI) 2025, hosted in Kuala Lumpur from Nov 12 to 15 under the presidency of Prof Prepageran.

“All proceeds from the APSCI 2025 will be directed into the foundation to create its initial financial pool, reinforcing the Symposium’s commitment not only to exchange knowledge, but also to immediate patient impact.

“This initiative transforms the symposium from a mere academic gathering for professionals into a direct lifeline for patients and was announced during APSCI to shine a light on this overlooked barrier,” he shares.

Set to begin operations in the first quarter of 2026, the foundation aims to ensure that no implanted child is ever silenced by financial circumstances.

Management, Prof Prepageran explains, will be led by a group comprising clinicians, audiologists, and representatives from sponsoring companies and the public, working closely with the management of Malaysia’s major public hospitals.

In terms of eligibility, the foundation will prioritise Malaysian children treated within the public healthcare system and those from socioeconomically disadvantaged households for its pilot phase.

The assistance provided, Prof Prepageran adds, will be practical and tangible, covering essential device maintenance needs, including batteries, cables, coils and magnets.

While the foundation begins its work locally, the vision is distinctly international.

“We have plans for regional expansion throughout the Asian-Pacific region once the programme achieves financial stability.

“Long-term sustainability will be driven by annual fundraising programmes and corporate sponsorships to guarantee assistance for decades to come,” he says.