Using data from over 72000 individuals to model age-specific increase in service demand from the 2019 modification to NICE criteria for cochlear implantation.

Abstract

The UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has estimated a 70% increase in demand resulting from the 2019 modification to cochlear implant criteria We modelled the projected increase using our large database of pure tone audiometry results, and adjusted for frailty as a marker of risk of general anaesthesia Our results suggest an overall 79% increase in demand, with most of this for adult implantation, and in particular for those over the age of 65 Our findings are important for those planning delivery of cochlear implant services.