Cost-effectiveness considerations in pediatric cochlear implantation

Objective: To summarizes the results of cost-utility analyses of pediatric cochlear implantation (Cl) in the United Kingdom. Method: Analysis is based on the direct costs of medical and rehabilitative management and also on emerging evidence that implantation leads to a shift in educational placements in favor of mainstreaming with support. Result: The resulting cost-utility ratio falls on the margin of the range considered acceptable within the British health-care system. The analysis also suggests that pediatric Cl could be acceptably cost-effective. Conclusion: The next step should be to measure the costs of alternative educational settings directly.