Cost Effectiveness of Childhood Cochlear Implantation and Deaf Education in Nicaragua: A Disability Adjusted Life Year Model.

摘要: INTRODUCTION Cochlear implantation (CI) is a common intervention for severe-to-profound hearing loss in high-income countries, but not commonly available to children low resource environments. Owing part the device costs, CI has been assumed be less economical than deaf education countries. The purpose of this study compare cost effectiveness two interventions with sensorineural (SNHL) model using disability adjusted life years (DALYs). METHODS Cost estimates were derived from published data, expert opinion, and known costs services Nicaragua. Individual lifetime DALY 3% discounting rate applied both interventions. Sensitivity analysis was implemented evaluate effect on discounted five key components: implant cost, audiology salary, speech therapy number implanted per year, failure probability. RESULTS averted are $5,898 $5,529 education, respectively. Using standards set by WHO, effective. shows that when all maximum estimates, still CONCLUSION conservative analysis, cost-effective treatment alternatives SNHL. only influenced initial surgery also rehabilitation maintenance, replacement, battery costs. major differences setting increased training infrastructure lower medical personnel