China's first centralized procurement program for cochlear implants has dramatically reduced their average cost, cutting prices from over 200,000 yuan ($27,400) to around 50,000 yuan, the National Healthcare Security Administration announced Thursday.

Five domestic and international companies secured bids for the implants through a bulk buying program held in Tianjin, according to a preliminary list released by the administration. The agreed procurement volume is 11,000 sets, each including a surgically implanted component and an external device.

Cochlear implants are widely considered the most effective treatment for severe hearing loss. Unlike traditional hearing aids, which amplify sound, the implants stimulate auditory nerves directly, enabling users to perceive sound. The devices are particularly beneficial for young children with congenital hearing loss, potentially preventing speech disabilities, aiding integration into daily life, and easing the financial burden on families.

Selected implants include both standard models and advanced designs that are compatible with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and feature user-friendly external components.

The procurement program has also reduced prices for peripheral vascular stents, with 18 companies winning bids to supply 258,000 units.

Discounted cochlear implants will be available starting March 3, while the reduced-price vascular stents are expected to hit the market in May, the administration said.