05/22/2026
"Cochlear implants are one of Canada’s best kept secrets! These small, complex electronic medical devices have positively changed our lives! CI’s have the unique ability to improve speech understanding and enhance the ability to have conversations in quiet and noisy environments.
We confidently explored travel outside North America. Our hope is that provincial & territorial governments in Canada will expand & establish equitable funding for this highly empowering medical procedure!" Jeff and Debbie Gifford
Hear More, Live More: Canada’s First Adult Cochlear Implant Report Card (2026)
Hearing shapes how we connect, work, and participate in everyday life—but in Canada, access to cochlear implants is anything but equal.
For adults with severe to profound hearing loss, cochlear implants are a medically necessary intervention, yet thousands are left waiting months—or even years—for care that directly impacts their health, independence, and future. Delays don’t just affect hearing—they increase the risk of cognitive decline, social isolation, depression, and dementia.
This first-of-its-kind national report card reveals a stark truth: where you live still determines whether you receive timely, life-changing treatment. And with over 178,000 Canadians potentially eligible but underserved, the urgency to act has never been clearer.
Inside the Report Card:
- A Canada-wide breakdown of wait times from referral to surgery
- Insights into geographic access and availability of remote care
- A comparison of financial support for essential device replacements
- A look at how provincial policies are shaping real-life outcomes
- Clear evidence showing why improving access is not just equitable—but economically smart
This report makes one thing clear: equitable access to cochlear implants in Canada is not just possible—it’s necessary. The question now is how quickly we’re willing to close the gap.
Access the full report here -https://chha.ca/.../05/Hear-More-Live-More-Spend-To-Save.pdf
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