Some people with hearing loss are not good candidates for standard hearing aids, and surgically inserted devices may help restore their hearing. A cochlear implant is a device that helps the brain perceive sound, and a bone-conduction implant is a device that activates hearing via skull vibration.
Ontario Health (Quality) looked at how safe and effective these devices are for three types of hearing loss: single-sided deafness, which is profound sensorineural hearing loss (caused by damage to the organ or the nerve in the inner ear) or hearing that is not functional in one ear; conductive hearing loss, caused by a mechanical problem with the ear’s ability to conduct sound vibrations; and mixed hearing loss, which is a combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.
We also looked at the cost-effectiveness and budget impact of publicly funding cochlear and bone-conduction implants, and we talked with people with single-sided deafness, conductive hearing loss and mixed hearing loss to learn about their experiences, preferences and values.
Read the full Health Technology Assessment report for more information.
The Ministry of Health has accepted this recommendation.
The Ministry of Health has provided the following response: The Ministry has a standardized process in place to review health technology assessments and funding recommendations. This takes into consideration Ministry priorities, implementation options, the need for consultation with impacted stakeholders, and funding considerations.