title: Economic evaluation of the cochlear implant.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the economic efficiency of current cochlear implant technology under Australian conditions in profoundly deaf adults, partially deafened adults, and children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cost-utility study, with weights based on judgments from persons experienced with the technology, and cost data from Australian sources.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Quality-of-life improvements due to functional consequences of hearing improvement were greater than those due to amelioration of hearing disability. Costs in Australian dollars per QALY (15-year assessment) ranged from $5,070-$11,100 for children, $11,790-$38,150 for profoundly deaf adults, and $14,410-$41,000 for partially deaf adults.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results suggest cochlear implantation is acceptable value for money when compared with other health programs to which resources are committed in Australia.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hailey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000191:economics* / Q000592:standards*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003638:Deafness / Q000601:surgery*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006309:Hearing; D006801:Humans