title: The economic and societal benefits of adult cochlear implant implantation: A pilot exploratory study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cochlear implantation has been shown to result in significant improvements in communication and quality of life, but little is known about the effect of cochlear implantation and changes in a person's employment status and earning potential. The purpose of this study is to measure the extent to which personal income changes in people who receive a cochlear implant.
  
  
  METHODS
  We mailed a survey to a random selection of 150 cochlear implantees who receive health services in a large urban setting. Of the 93 respondents, 65 were eligible for inclusion. Demographics, current income and income prior to implantation were recorded into income categories.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With a 6.6-year mean duration from cochlear implantation, it was found that 31% of respondents had increased income enough to move income brackets, with a mean category rise of $10 021. Forty participants reported working pre-implant, while 49 reported working post-implant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest preliminary evidence for an association between cochlear implantation and income. Increased accesses to cochlear implantation may provide opportunities for competitive employment and associated economic benefits for the individual, their families, and society.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Clinkard
authors.forename: Skye
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barbic
authors.forename: Hosam
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Amoodi
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shipp
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000191:economics* / Q000523:psychology; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003638:Deafness / Q000601:surgery*; D004651:Employment / Q000191:economics* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D012922:Social Change; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Adults; Cochlear implant; Employment; Hearing impairment; Hearing loss; Work