Impact of socioeconomic status on cochlear implantation and its outcomes in children with hearing loss in India

This study examined how socioeconomic conditions affect cochlear implantation program in India, where government-funded implant schemes now provide access to children from lower economic backgrounds. A retrospective analysis of 213 children divided into low and high socioeconomic status (SES) groups based on family income. Age at identification, age at implantation, and outcomes at 2 years post-implantation were compared using auditory detection, speech identification, categorical auditory performance, Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale, and receptive/expressive language assessments. Age at hearing loss identification was similar between groups, but children from high SES families received implants at younger ages. Gender differences emerged between SES groups. Socioeconomic status significantly affected receptive and expressive language development but not auditory perception after two years of implant use. SES proved to be a significant predictor of language outcomes. Socioeconomic status influences age at cochlear implantation and language development rates in pediatric recipients. While government schemes improve access for lower-income families, disparities in implantation timing and language outcomes persist. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to address socioeconomic barriers and support optimal outcomes across all economic strata. Prospective studies are needed to validate these results and guide evidence-based policies for pediatric cochlear implant programs.