Cost Utility of the Multichannel Cochlear Implant in 258 Profoundly Deaf Individuals

TLDR

Cost‑utility analysis measures outcomes in cost per quality‑adjusted life‑year (QALY). The study calculated cost‑utility for a multichannel cochlear implant using Ontario Health Utilities Index data from 229 users and 32 candidates, and sensitivity analysis indicated a cost range of $12,000 to $30,000 per QALY. Implanted patients had a 0.204 higher health utility than candidates, yielding a cost of about $15,928 per QALY, which is favorable compared to other interventions and demonstrates significant quality‑of‑life improvement and cost‑effectiveness. Published in Laryngoscope, 106:816‑821, 1996.

Abstract

Abstract Cost utility analysis is a method of cost‐effectiveness analysis which provides results in terms of cost per quality‐adjusted life‐year (QALY). Cost utility for the multichannel cochlear implant was calculated using Ontario Health Utilities Index data from 229 Nucleus 22‐channel implant users and 32 cochlear implant candidates awaiting surgery. The health utility of the implanted group was greater than that of the candidate group by 0.204 ( P <.0001). Use of this figure in a cost utility calculation indicates that cochlear implantation costs approximately$15,928 per QALY provided. Sensitivity analysis, a technique which systematically varies the assumptions underlying the calculations, suggests a range for the true value of between $12,000 and $30,000. This compares very favorably with other medical interventions. It is concluded that profound hearing loss has a significant effect on quality of life, and measurement of the changes that result from cochlear implant use indicates that this technology provides significant improvements and is quite cost‐effective. Laryngoscope, 106:816‐821, 1996