title: Evaluation of cost-utility in middle ear implantation in the 'Nordic School': a multicenter study in Sweden and Norway.
abstract: CONCLUSIONS
  Hearing restoration using an active middle ear implant (AMEI) is a highly cost-effective treatment for a selected group of patients with no other possibilities for auditory rehabilitation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the cost-utility of using an AMEI for hearing rehabilitation.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective, multicenter, single-subject repeated study in six tertiary referral centers. Twenty-four patients with sensorineural (SNHL), conductive (CHL), and mixed hearing loss (MHL) were implanted with the AMEI Vibrant Soundbridge® (VSB) for medical reasons. All patients were previously rehabilitated with conventional hearing aids. Multiple validated quality of life patient questionnaires, Health Utilities Index (HUI 2 and 3), and Glasgow Hearing Aid Benefit Profile (GHABP) were used to determine the utility gain and quality adjusted life years (QALY). Directly related treatment costs for the implantation were calculated and related to utility gain and QALY.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The cost/QALY for patients with SNHL was estimated at €7260/QALY, and for patients with C/MHL at €12 503/QALY.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences, Section of Otolaryngology, Uppsala University Hospital , Uppsala , Sweden.
authors.forename: Lennart
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Edfeldt
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Strömbäck
authors.forename: Joakim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Grendin
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bunne
authors.forename: Henrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Harder
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Peebo
authors.forename: Måns
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eeg-Olofsson
authors.forename: Carl-Magnus
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Petersson
authors.forename: Konrad
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Konradsson
mesh_terms: D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000191:economics / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D009998:Ossicular Prosthesis / Q000191:economics*; D019933:Ossicular Replacement / Q000191:economics*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years; D013548:Sweden