Estimation of the number of patients who might be suitable for cochlear implant and similar procedures

Data have been drawn from four sources to estimate the number of profoundly, bilaterally hearing impaired in Britain who might benefit from a rehabilitational programme which would include cochlear implants and other specialised aids. The sources were: (i) the IHR National Study of Hearing; (ii) a total ascertainment survey of General Practitioners, ENT Consultants, Health Visitors etc. in the Wessex Health Region, which requested basic data on their profoundly, bilaterally hearing impaired patients; (iii) more detailed questionnaire data obtained directly from a subset of the patients identified in the ascertainment study; and (iv) the experience of various cochlear implant centres. Criteria are proposed to select candidates suitable for the initial research and development work on implant devices and to select those who might later be suitable for a routine clinical service with an established technique. Estimates of the corresponding numbers are given. Guidelines for identifying those who might benefit from acoustical aids are offered.AcknowledgementsThe author gratefully acknowledges data and helpful discussions with the following implant groups: Prof. C.-H. Chouard and the Paris group, Prof. G. M. Clark and the Melbourne team, Mr J. G. Fraser and Mr M. Martin of the UCH/RNID team, Dr W. House and the Los Angeles team, Prof. M. Merzenich and the San Francisco team, Dr R. Myamoto and the Indianapolis team. For the NSH data the following IHR personnel and the teams that they represent, are gratefully acknowledged: Dr R. R. A. Coles, Dr A. C. Davis, Dr H. Fortnum, Dr S. Gatehouse, Dr M. E. Lutman and Dr J. Miller. For the Southampton NSH Data and for the Wessex Survey the assistance of the following is gratefully acknowledged: Mr I. E. Bell, Mr S. Goodsell, Mrs W. Clarke, Mrs V. M. Thornton, Mr P. B. Ashcroft and Mrs G. K. Young. For the data on GP practices and the stage I data the following are gratefully acknowledged: Mr R. I. Crosby, Isle of Wight FPC; Mr G. A. Forster, Avon FPC; Mr G. D. Hayne, Hampshire FPC; Mr R. J. Jones, Somerset FPC; Mr J. Knighton, Dorset FPC; Mr J. Langley, Wiltshire FPC and all the GPs, ENT surgeons and health professionals who replied to the survey questionnaire. For helpful comments and a critical reading of the manuscript the author gratefully acknowledges his colleagues: Mr I. E. Bell, Dr A. C. Davis, Dr S. Gatehouse, Prof. M. P. Haggard, Dr M. E. Lutman, Mr M. Martin, Miss H. Spencer and Dr S. D. G. Stephens.