Outcomes in bilateral cochlear implantation.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to explore improvements in quality of life and the cost-utility of bilateral cochlear implantation. A prospective case-control study was conducted on 23 bilateral cochlear implant patients with the Mark III health utility index. 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. 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. 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.