Yes, Two Implants Are Good. No, Make It Just One Implant.
Saturday August 9, 2008
In the United Kingdom, there is a row over a deaf baby who has been denied two (bilateral) cochlear implants. Several UK papers are reporting the case. At first, the UK's National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) had recommended bilateral implants for prelingually deaf babies; but just months later, they turned around and said it should be only one. The result is that funding two implants has become optional for Primary Care Trusts around the country.
BBC
Hampshire Chronicle
Telegraph
Will this decision by a national medical organization in the UK have any effect on the United States? Probably not, but it is still something to watch because of American insurance companies and government programs like Medicare and Medicaid.
UK Media Coverage of this case:
Comments
Oh that’s so unfair! The longer the wait, the harder it will be for the baby to acquire speech. So in addition to a fight against NICE, the family is also in a race against time. Though at least one would be good, why not give the baby the best they can and allow two? It’s the equivalent of only offering a Lasik surgery for one eye. I hope they get the bilateral implants soon!
I think that will affect the US. right now all the implants are singular. if there is going to be bilateral implants done in UK then you bet theres going to be a change of some kind. even if it means deaf people going to UK to get the implants. Like she said makes more sense to have two than giving just one. balances out. i believe up till now theres only been an option for one and only one implant. so i can only imagine there will be an uproar when the bilateral becomes an option. be interesting to see how much THAT costs!