Financial Benefits of the Early Fitting of a Cochlear Implant Speech Processor: Assessment of the Direct Cost

Objective Cochlear implants (CIs) are typically activated four weeks after the implantation surgery. This delay between device implantation and activation lengthens the implant process and consequently induces personal and financial burdens for some patients who travel from remote regions to receive the surgery. However, fitting the speech processor and eliminating the waiting period could decrease the indirect cost associated with cochlear implantation. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of an early CI fitting on the overall cost paid by patients and their families aiming to improve future care strategies for patients receiving CIs. Methods This retrospective study was conducted in a tertiary referral center. All patients who received any kind of CI with early fitting of the speech processor were included. The total financial benefit for the patients and their families over the standard activation visit was investigated by assessing the cost of the non-medical expense for one hospital visit. Results Our results showed that the non-medical cost for each hospital visit associated with cochlear implantation was higher for those who traveled from remote areas: 81 USD for each patient within 200 km of the implantation center and 748.56 USD for each patient farther than 200 km from the implantation center. Conclusions Using the early fitting approach, some of the financial burden associated with implantation could be alleviated.