Bilateral Cochlear Implants for Children: Does a Second Implant Improve Language, Psychosocial and Other Outcomes?

严重的先天性听力损失会给社会带来巨大的成本。2005年，向大约129 000名因听力损失而失业的人支付了专门教育费用-平均每个儿童25 000加元，生产力损失费用-67亿加元和社会保障福利。 如果双侧人工耳蜗植入术能改善语言、社会发展和学术成果，那么所产生的社区效益将大大改善这些人的生活质量，并为社会节省大量资金。 这项研究将提供全球首批数据，比较额外植入物对语言，社会和教育结果的影响。

Severe-profound congenital hearing loss engenders significant costs to society. In 2005, specialised education cost -- on average $25,000 per child, loss of productivity cost -- $6.7 billion, and social security benefits were paid to approximately 129,000 individuals who were unemployed due to hearing loss. If bilateral cochlear implantation results in improved language, social development, and academic outcomes, the community benefits arising will be greatly improved quality of life for these individuals and significant savings to society. In partnership with Cochlear Ltd, this study will provide some of the first data worldwide comparing the effects of an additional implant on language, social and educational outcomes.