Expert opinion: Time to ban formal CI selection criteria?
This contribution addresses cochlear implantation (CI) selection criteria as a discussion topic. It expresses a personal viewpoint that challenges the usefulness and necessity of formal selection criteria. Scientifically, it is argued that CI selection must be highly individual, whereas the current criteria are general, not valid, not based on a wide consensus, and not up-to-date. Morally, it is argued that it is not legitimate to presume equality between patients and CI centers, that the current selection criteria create an ethical dilemma, and that an unresolvable contradiction exists between quality of life and measurability. Finally, liberalizing the criteria would probably have only a minimal impact on current practice and budget.
a The Eargroup , Antwerp-Deurne , Belgium.|b Dept. Biomedical Physics , University Antwerp , Belgium.|c Dept. Otolaryngology , University Ghent , Belgium.|d Dept. Speech Coding and Assistive Hearing Technology , Free University Amsterdam , Netherlands.
Paul J
PJ
Govaerts
D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000941:ethics*; D003054:Cochlear Implants / Q000941:ethics*; D005060:Europe; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D018579:Patient Selection / Q000941:ethics*; D011788:Quality of Life
Audiometry; Cochlear implant selection criteria; Indications; Moral; Speech