The Need to Increase Awareness and Access to Cochlear Implantation

Abstract

Some degree of disabling hearing loss is present in 466 million people worldwide, representing 5% of the world's population and the majority of these are adults over 65 years old. Hearing loss is associated with increased risks of social isolation, depression, dementia, stroke, vision loss, diabetes and mortality. It is in the top five causes of years lived with disability in 2015, 2016 and 2017 for males and top 10 for females. Hearing aids are a suitable treatment for mild to moderate loses but for some they do not provide enough benefit. Cochlear implantation is a proven and effective treatment for bilateral severe to profound hearing loss, yet despite good funding in high income countries, the utilisation of CI is poor (less than 10% of suitable patients), especially in the older adult population who arguably need it most. Prevalence data shows that hearing loss increases with age, but the provision of implants in the over 65 s is even lower, despite there being no clinical barriers to older adults receiving a CI. Survey data shows that awareness activities are needed for both professionals and the general population to improve knowledge of what a CI is and how it can help.

‘All of a sudden, you know, you can’t go to these services, because of the risk of infection’: Audiological service considerations at residential care homes for older persons during COVID-19

“…Moreover, participants spoke about the isolation experienced by residents at homes during COVID-19. Older persons who have hearing loss are already at risk of social isolation, social withdrawal, and poor quality of life (D’Haese et al, 2019 ); thus, this current study showed that residents’ isolation due to COVID-19 restrictions compounded their isolation. Participants spoke of strategies such as using WhatsApp video calls for residents to maintain contact between them and their families outside.…”

More than a quarter century of cochlear implantations: a retrospective study on 1161 implantations at the Antwerp University Hospital

“…Therefore, D' Haese and colleagues concluded that additional efforts are required to ensure that a larger number of patients has access to this technology. Data from their surveys support the need for awareness activities for both professionals and the general population to improve knowledge of what a CI is and how it can help (6).…”

“…In high income countries, CIs are generally funded by national healthcare or insurance systems (6). In Belgium, the National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (NIHDI-RIZIV-INAMI) sets the reimbursement fees and the conditions as to who is eligible for reimbursement of the different treatment options for several pathologies, including severe or profound SNHL.…”