Research To Investigate The Clinical And Cost-effectiveness Of Bone Anchored Hearing Aids

Main Category: Hearing / Deafness
Also Included In: Ear, Nose and Throat
Article Date: 24 Jul 2009 - 0:00 PDT

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New research commissioned by the National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment (NIHR HTA) programme will assess the clinical and cost-effectiveness of bone anchored hearing aids (BAHAs) for people who are bilaterally deaf (deaf in both ears). Hearing impairment is the most common sensory deficit and it is estimated that there are approximately 688,000 severely to profoundly deaf adults in the UK. According to evidence given to the House of Commons Health Committee, the NHS tariff puts the cost per person of conventional hearing aid provision from appointment and clinic time to use of equipment at about £270. The price of a working BAHA per patient is estimated to be at least £4500.

Most people with hearing loss can benefit from conventional air-conduction hearing aids, which work by amplifying sound passed along the ear canal to the eardrum making it vibrate. However, some people cannot wear these or do not benefit from them because the conduction process is obstructed in some way. Several clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of BAHAs in patients with conductive or mixed hearing loss. A BAHA delivers sound through the skull by vibrations, missing the outer and middle ears. Hearing loss can occur in both ears (bilateral), and in these cases, BAHAs are usually fitted on just one side (unilaterally). However, it has been suggested there may be benefits of bilateral BAHAs. The benefits and costs of bilateral compared with unilateral BAHAs, and of BAHAs compared with conventional aids or surgery is not known.

Researchers, led by Dr Jill Colquitt of the University of Southampton, will review existing evidence on the clinical and cost-effectiveness of: unilateral compared with bilateral BAHAs; BAHAs compared with conventional hearing aids; and BAHAs compared with surgery, for people who are bilaterally deaf.

"We propose to bring together the most up to date and highest quality published and unpublished evidence on the benefits, harms and costs of BAHAs for people who have hearing loss in both ears," says Dr Colquitt. "Provision is extremely patchy across the UK and BAHAs are not widely available. We hope that our research can aid decision making on the use of BAHAs and provide a more uniform approach which will benefit patients."

To view full details about this project visit http://www.hta.ac.uk/1770

Source
University of Southampton