HIQA has commenced work on a health technology assessment (HTA) of cochlear implants for adults. This work was requested by the HSE to inform a decision by the HSE and the Minister for Health.

In this HTA, HIQA will review the clinical and cost effectiveness of expanding the current funding criteria for cochlear implants to include adults with single-sided deafness, and a second cochlear implant for adults with bilateral severe-to-profound hearing loss.

While there are other surgical and non-surgical interventions available to treat both types of hearing loss, cochlear implants are the only intervention that can potentially restore hearing in the affected ear.

Commenting on the HTA, HIQA’s Chief Scientist, Dr Conor Teljeur, said:

“Current funding for cochlear implants for adults is limited to a single cochlear implant for those with bilateral severe-to-profound hearing loss, and doesn’t cover adults with single-sided deafness. We are going to be looking at the
potential clinical benefits and cost implications of expanding the funding criteria for adults, so that more people with hearing loss have the option to get a cochlear implant.”

HIQA will look at the current treatment options for hearing loss, the clinical efficacy, effectiveness and safety of cochlear implants, the cost and budget implications of expanding funding along with any ethical or organisational implications. As part of this HTA, HIQA will seek expertise from a range of stakeholder organisations, including patient representation, healthcare providers, methodological experts, and clinical and public health experts. 

The final report will be published in 2027 and provided as advice to the Minister for Health and HSE.

ENDS

Notes:

• HIQA has today published the following document:
  • Cochlear implants for adults: protocol for a health technology assessment.
• Under current funding policy, children with bilateral severe-to-profound
  hearing loss (>70 decibels) are eligible for bilateral implantation while adults with bilateral severe-to-profound hearing loss (BSPHL) can receive unilateral implantation. While children with single-sided deafness (SSD) caused by certain conditions are eligible for a cochlear implant, adults with SSD are not currently eligible.
• The HSE requested that HIQA undertake a HTA to establish the clinical effectiveness and economic implications of expanding the criteria for providing cochlear implants to include adults with SSD and a sequential cochlear implant for adults with BSPHL who previously received a unilateral implant.

About HIQA

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is the independent body that promotes safety and quality in the provision of health and social care services in Ireland.

Through its regulation, standard setting and evidence to inform decision-making functions, HIQA supports health and social care services to consistently deliver excellent standards of care and the best possible health and social care outcomes for all.