Impact of Medicaid on Cochlear Implant Access

By Donna Sorkin MA

The study documented the role of Medicaid in the provision of cochlear implants and identified access barriers due to states' adopted rules. An historical review of federal legislation provided a basis for evaluating the original Congressional intent and how this national purpose aligns with how state programs are currently operating.

Cochlear implantation in the world's largest medical device market: Utilization and awareness of cochlear implants in the United States

By Donna Sorkin MA

Provision of cochlear implants (CIs) for those within the criteria for implantation remains lower in the United States than in some other developed nations. When adults and children are grouped together, the rate of utilization/provision remains low at around 6%. For children, the provision rate is about 50% of those who could benefit from an implant, compared with figures of about 90% for the Flanders part of Belgium, the United Kingdom and other European countries. The probable reasons for this underprovision include: low awareness of the benefits of CIs among the population; low awareness among health-care professionals; the lack of specific referral pathways; some political issues relating to the Deaf Community; and financial issues related to health provision.

A link to the full paper is available HERE.

Cochlear Implant Access in Six Developed Countries

by Sorkin, Donna L.; Buchman, Craig A.
Otology & Neurotology: February 2016 - Volume 37 - Issue 2 - p e161-e164

This paper explores access factors in six developed countries: Austria, Australia, Germany, Sweden, the UK and the United States. Each of the six countries examined has advanced health care systems and active cochlear implant programs. The study reflects insights provided by representatives of these countries during a panel convened at the 14th Symposium on Cochlear Implants in Children held December 2014 in Nashville (TN). Pediatric utilization was 90% or more in European countries other than Germany and also in Australia but was only 50% in the US. Adult utilization was low in all of the countries examined due to a number of issues including a lack of screening for hearing loss in adults and a low referral rates from primary care physicians and even audiologists and other dispensing hearing care professionals.  Please click HERE for a link to the publication.

Barriers and Facilitators to Cochlear Implant Uptake in Australia and the United Kingdom

by Bierbaum, Mia; McMahon, Catherine M.; Hughes, Sarah; Boisvert, Isabelle; Lau, Annie Y. S.; Braithwaite, Jeffrey; Rapport, Frances
Ear and Hearing: March/April 2020 - Volume 41 - Issue 2 - p 374-385

Hearing loss (HL) affects a significant proportion of adults aged >50 years by impairing communication and social connectedness and, due to its high prevalence, is a growing global concern. Cochlear implants (CIs) are effective devices for many people with severe or greater sensorineural HL who experience limited benefits from hearing aids. Despite this, uptake rates globally are low among adults. This multimethod, multicountry qualitative study aimed to investigate the barriers and facilitators to CI uptake among adults aged ≥50 years.