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Children who could benefit from a cochlear implant: a European estimate of projected numbers, cost and relevant
A Davis1, H Fortnum, G O'Donoghue
1MRC Institute of Hearing Research, Nottingham University, UK.
Insights
Profound hearing impairment affects approximately 300 UK children annually. Early identification and cochlear implant programs could benefit thousands across Europe, requiring significant investment in hardware and rehabilitation.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Profound hearing impairment affects a significant number of children.
- Early identification is crucial for intervention outcomes.
- The UK incidence provides a basis for European projections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the number of children with profound hearing impairment in Europe.
- To assess the potential number of pediatric cochlear implant candidates.
- To explore the need for early identification and rehabilitation programs.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective UK study data analysis.
- Population projection to Europe.
- Calculation of potential cochlear implant patient numbers.
- Estimation of associated healthcare expenditure.
Main Results:
- Estimated 300 annual cases of profound hearing impairment in the UK (1990s).
- Approximately 2268 potential pediatric cochlear implant patients in Europe.
- Estimated European expenditure of £17 million per annum for hardware and rehabilitation at 25% uptake.
Conclusions:
- Significant need for cochlear implantation and rehabilitation services in Europe.
- Early identification strategies are essential for managing pediatric hearing loss.
- Substantial investment is required to meet the needs of children with profound hearing impairment.
Abstract:
The incidence of profound hearing impairment by the age of 5, derived from a number of retrospective studies in the UK (population about 58 million; birth rate 14/1000), is estimated to be about 300 per annual birth cohort in the 1990s. This estimate includes 80 children who might be expected to acquire deafness in those first 5 years. Projected to Europe as a whole (population 511 million; birth rate 12/1000) this would mean a population who should be considered as potential cochlear implant patients of some 2268 children, given a variety of assumptions. At a take-up rate of 25% for both congenital and acquired cases of profound hearing impairment this would imply a European-wide expenditure of the order of 17 pounds m/p.a. on hardware and associated rehabilitation programmes. The need for such programmes is explored, in the context of strategies of early identification of hearing impairments.