About Dr. Chi Fanlu
Dr. Chi Fanlu (迟放鲁) is the Director of the Department of Otology and Head of the Cochlear Implant Center at the Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University — China's premier institution for ear, nose, and throat diseases and one of the world's highest-volume cochlear implant centers. Widely regarded as one of China's foremost otologists, Dr. Chi has dedicated his career to the surgical and medical management of hearing loss, chronic ear disease, skull base tumors, and vestibular disorders, with particular national renown in cochlear implantation and auditory rehabilitation.
With decades of surgical experience and a patient volume that places him among the most experienced cochlear implant surgeons in Asia, Dr. Chi brings unmatched technical expertise and clinical depth to every case. His program has implanted thousands of patients — from infants with congenital hearing loss to adults with progressive or sudden sensorineural hearing loss — achieving outcomes that benchmark against the world's leading cochlear implant centers. His work has shaped national protocols for cochlear implant candidacy assessment, surgical technique, and post-implant auditory rehabilitation in China.
Hospital Affiliation
The Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University (复旦大学附属眼耳鼻喉科医院) is China's only specialized hospital dedicated exclusively to ophthalmology and otolaryngology, and is consistently ranked as the nation's top ENT institution. Its Department of Otology is a National Key Clinical Specialty and serves as the national reference center for cochlear implantation, chronic ear surgery, and skull base otology.
The hospital's cochlear implant program is one of the largest in the world by annual implant volume, supported by a dedicated audiology center, speech therapy rehabilitation program, and a multidisciplinary team of otologists, audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and genetic counselors. Advanced imaging capabilities include high-resolution CT of the temporal bone and MRI with cochlear protocols, enabling precise pre-operative planning for even the most complex anatomical cases.
Clinical Expertise
- Cochlear implantation — pediatric and adult cochlear implants; bilateral implantation; revision surgery; complex anatomy (cochlear malformations, ossified cochlea, narrow internal auditory canal); auditory brainstem implant (ABI) coordination
- Chronic ear disease — chronic otitis media; cholesteatoma; tympanoplasty; ossiculoplasty; canal wall up and canal wall down mastoidectomy
- Otosclerosis — stapedectomy and stapedotomy; hearing restoration surgery
- Skull base surgery — acoustic neuroma (vestibular schwannoma); glomus tumors; meningioma of the posterior fossa; lateral skull base approaches
- Sudden sensorineural hearing loss — acute management; intratympanic steroid injection; hyperbaric oxygen coordination
- Vestibular disorders — BPPV; Meniere's disease; vestibular neuritis; superior semicircular canal dehiscence; endolymphatic sac surgery
- Congenital ear malformations — aural atresia; microtia with hearing rehabilitation; BAHA and bone-anchored hearing aid implantation
- Genetic hearing loss — GJB2, SLC26A4, mitochondrial mutations; genetic counseling coordination; gene therapy trial access
- Tinnitus — comprehensive tinnitus evaluation; sound therapy; tinnitus retraining therapy coordination
- Auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD) — diagnosis and cochlear implant candidacy assessment
Academic & Research Contributions
Dr. Chi Fanlu is one of China's most prolific otology researchers, with hundreds of peer-reviewed publications in leading journals including Otology & Neurotology, The Laryngoscope, Acta Oto-Laryngologica, and Hearing Research. His research spans cochlear implant outcomes in complex anatomical cases, the genetics of hereditary hearing loss in Chinese populations, surgical techniques for skull base tumors, and the epidemiology of hearing loss in China.
He has served as President of the Chinese Society of Otorhinolaryngology's Otology Group and is a member of the International Otological Society and the Cochlear Implant International. Dr. Chi has contributed to the development of China's national cochlear implant guidelines and has been principal investigator on multiple NSFC-funded research programs examining genetic hearing loss and cochlear implant outcomes in Chinese children.
His work on cochlear implantation in patients with cochlear malformations — including incomplete partition type II (Mondini dysplasia) and common cavity deformity — has been internationally recognized as a landmark contribution to the field, providing surgical techniques and outcome data that inform practice at cochlear implant centers worldwide. Dr. Chi has also been involved in early-phase gene therapy trials for GJB2-related hearing loss, positioning Fudan's Eye & ENT Hospital at the frontier of hearing restoration science.
As an educator, Dr. Chi has trained numerous otologists and cochlear implant surgeons across China and has hosted international fellows from Europe, North America, and Southeast Asia who come to Shanghai to observe his surgical techniques and program management approach.
Why International Patients Choose Dr. Chi Fanlu
Families and patients from around the world seek Dr. Chi's expertise for cochlear implantation in complex cases — including children with cochlear malformations, adults with ossified cochleae after meningitis, and patients who have had unsuccessful implants elsewhere. The combination of Dr. Chi's surgical experience, the Eye & ENT Hospital's unmatched implant volume, and access to the full range of cochlear implant devices and auditory brainstem implants makes Shanghai a compelling destination for hearing rehabilitation.
International patients also benefit from the hospital's comprehensive audiology and rehabilitation infrastructure: pre-operative audiological assessment, device programming, and post-implant speech therapy are all available on-site, enabling a complete evaluation and treatment plan within a single coordinated visit. CMCS coordinates all aspects of the cochlear implant journey, from initial audiological workup and surgical consultation to device programming follow-up and remote rehabilitation support after patients return home.
Cost is a significant factor: cochlear implantation at the Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University — including surgery, device, hospitalization, and initial programming — is available at substantially lower cost than in the United States, United Kingdom, or Australia, without compromising on device quality or surgical expertise.
What to Expect at Your Consultation
Consultations with Dr. Chi begin with a comprehensive audiological evaluation including pure tone audiometry, speech discrimination testing, and ABR/ASSR where indicated. Imaging — high-resolution CT of the temporal bone and MRI with cochlear protocols — is arranged to assess cochlear anatomy and auditory nerve integrity. CMCS will arrange certified translation of all prior audiological and medical records in advance.
For cochlear implant candidates, Dr. Chi will review all assessment results and provide a detailed surgical plan including device selection, approach, and expected outcomes. For patients with complex anatomy or prior failed implants, a multidisciplinary case review may be arranged. A written English-language consultation summary is provided after every appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Dr. Chi implant patients with cochlear malformations?
Yes. Dr. Chi has extensive experience with cochlear implantation in patients with Mondini dysplasia, common cavity deformity, incomplete partition, and other malformations. His program is one of the few in the world with large-scale outcomes data for these complex cases.
What cochlear implant brands are available at Fudan Eye & ENT Hospital?
The hospital works with all major cochlear implant manufacturers including Cochlear (Australia), MED-EL (Austria), Advanced Bionics (USA), and domestic Chinese brands, enabling device selection based on individual anatomy, lifestyle, and budget.
How long does the cochlear implant process take?
The pre-operative assessment typically takes 2–3 days. Surgery and initial hospitalization take approximately 3–5 days. Initial device activation and programming occur 4–6 weeks post-surgery. CMCS will plan your itinerary and coordinate remote programming follow-up after you return home.
Book a Consultation Through CMCS
China Medical Concierge Shanghai (CMCS) provides end-to-end support for international patients seeking cochlear implant and otology care with Dr. Chi Fanlu at the Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University, including priority appointment scheduling, audiological assessment coordination, certified medical translation, surgical logistics, and post-implant rehabilitation support. Contact us at contract@medicalsh.com, or visit medicalsh.com.
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