A health technology assessment (HTA) of cochlear implants for adults with (1) single-sided deafness or (2) bilateral severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss who previously received one implant.

Record ID 32018014854
English
Authors' objectives: In this health technology assessment, HIQA will look at the clinical and cost effectiveness of expanding the criteria for cochlear implants so that more adults with hearing loss have the option to get a cochlear implant. The HSE requested that HIQA conduct a health technology assessment (HTA) of expanding the criteria for cochlear implants for adults in the publicly funded healthcare system. The findings of this HTA will inform a decision by the HSE and the Minister for Health. In this HTA, HIQA will review the clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness of expanding the current funding criteria for cochlear implants to include adults with severe-to-profound single-sided deafness, and a second cochlear implant for adults with bilateral severe-to-profound hearing loss. A cochlear implant is one treatment option for people experiencing sensorineural hearing loss, which happens when the innermost part of the ear or the auditory nerve is damaged as a result of illness or injury. A cochlear implant is a surgically implanted electronic device designed to help people with severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss. Unlike a hearing aid, which amplifies sounds for the inner ear, a cochlear implant directly stimulates the auditory nerve through electrical signals. In Ireland, adults with single-sided deafness are not currently eligible for a cochlear implant and adults with bilateral severe-to-profound hearing loss are eligible for a cochlear implant on one side only. The protocol document outlines the evidence synthesis approach that HIQA’s evaluation team will use to complete this piece of work. The full HTA will be published in 2027.
Details
Project Status: Ongoing
URL for project: https://www.hiqa.ie/reports-and-publications/health-technology-assessment/cochlear-implants-adults-health-technology
URL for protocol: https://www.hiqa.ie/sites/default/files/2026-08/Protocol-Cochlear-implants-for-adults.pdf
Anticipated Publish Date: 2027
English language abstract: There is no English language summary available
Publication Type: Full HTA
Country: Ireland
MeSH Terms
  • Hearing Loss, Unilateral
  • Cochlear Implants
  • Cochlear Implantation
  • Deafness
  • Adult
Keywords
  • bilateral hearing loss
  • unilateral hearing loss
  • Cochlear Implants
Contact
Organisation Name: Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA)
Contact Address: Health Information and Quality Authority, George's Court, George's Lane,Smithfield, Dublin 7. PH : + 353 (01) 814 7464
Contact Name: info@hiqa.ie
Contact Email: info@hiqa.ie
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.