Outcomes in bilateral cochlear implantation

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to explore improvements in quality of life and the cost-utility of bilateral cochlear implantation.

Study design and setting: A prospective case-control study was conducted on 23 bilateral cochlear implant patients with the Mark III health utility index.

Results: Results indicate a 0.48 mean gain in health utility after bilateral cochlear implantation and a discounted cost per quality adjusted life year of $24,859 in this cohort of patients. With a comparison of patient scores for unilateral and bilateral use, improvements in the domains of hearing, speech, emotion, and cognition were noted, resulting in a mean gain in health utility of 0.11.

Conclusions: This study found an improvement in quality of life and a favorable cost-utility associated with bilateral cochlear implantation in patients with profound hearing loss. These patients showed additional improvements in quality of life after they received their second implant.

Clinical significance: This is the first study that showed improvements in quality of life and a favorable cost-utility after bilateral cochlear implantation in patients with profound hearing loss.