Cochlear Implant Advocacy in BC

BC Cochlear Implant Wait Times Reach 7 Years Due to Provincial Funding Cap

British Columbians with severe hearing loss are being denied timely access to medically necessary cochlear implants because of an outdated provincial funding cap system.

Despite growing demand, BC funds only 70 publicly covered cochlear implant surgeries per year, resulting in a surgical backlog and wait times of up to seven years. This falls far short of the physician-recommended benchmark of treatment within six months.

The consequences of needlessly delaying these addressable hearing disabilities are significant, given the strong correlation between hearing loss and loss of employment, social isolation, cognitive decline, dementia, traumatic falls, and the associated but preventable strain on the healthcare system. Solutions are clear, evidence-based, and achievable: remove the surgical cap, align funding with demand, and meet the six-month standard of care already recognized in Canada.

Links

• BC Adult Cochlear Implant Program (shows the current wait times): https://www.providencehealthcare.org/en/clinics/bc-adult-cochlear-implant-program

• CBC Radio The Early Edition with Stephen Quinn, July 21: “A doctor and patient are sounding the alarm over wait times for adult cochlear implant surgery”

• CBC news article, July 26: “B.C. woman faces 'disheartening' 5-year wait for cochlear implant. She's not alone”

BC Cochlear Implant Access Report and Advocacy Update

BC Cochlear Implant Support Group published a report, "Access to CI in BC," that has been shared with more than 10 MLAs in the province.

A joint press statement will be released in the first week of October 2026. Stay tuned.