Estimated net saving to society from cochlear implantation in infants: A preliminary analysis

Abstract

CIs for patients under 1 year of age afford significantly improved performance and a net savings to society.

Quality assessment of economic evaluation studies in pediatric surgery: A systematic review

“…Cochlear implantation is more effective (QALYs gained) and less expensive when implanted early in children with congenital or acquired hearing loss compared to children with hearing aids [30,[32][33][34][35].…”

Disparities in access to pediatric hearing health care

“…22 There is compelling evidence that suggests that with each year after birth that cochlear implantation in children is delayed there is a substantially greater financial burden for the family, educational system, and the healthcare system. 31 Children with cochlear implants rom healthcare inequity settings with public insurance also tend to have poorer sound recognition outcomes when controlling for other variables such as age of the child, timing of implantation, and frequency of speech rehabilitation services. 32 There is also limited access to speech therapists in rural areas with expertise in treating children with hearing loss, which further complicated aural habilitation for children.…”

Barriers to early pediatric cochlear implantation

“…In addition, children implanted at an earlier age are more likely to be placed in mainstream educational settings and to achieve education levels similar to their normal-hearing peers [2,3]. Early, optimal cochlear implantation has been shown to be cost-effective compared to the costs of special education and a lifetime of reduced productivity [4,5].…”