The cochlear implant. A technology for the profoundly deaf.

The cochlear implant is a device that enables the profoundly deaf to hear. This article considers the nature of the technology, the need for rehabilitation programs for those who are implanted and the evidence of benefits from this approach. A preliminary economic assessment suggests that costs per QALY for this technology would be of the order of $ 14,000 for children and $ 22,000 for adults. Cochlear implantation appears to be superior to vibrotactile devices, and is an effective technology for appropriately selected persons.