Despite the funding uncertainty, bilateral CIs have become more common in the UK and, in an increasing number of cases even ahead of the NICE recommendation, PCTs were backing clinicians’ recommendations with NHS funding.

By the year ending April 2006, there had been 115 bilateral implantations in the UK. Of these, 33 were simultaneous (both ears implanted in the same operation) and 82 sequential (ears implanted in different operations). In the most recent year - to March 2007 - there were 32 child and 11 adult bilateral CI operations performed. It is unclear whether there is some small overlap in the time periods reported but the cumulative implication of this data is that, as at March 2007, there was a total of 158 children and adults with bilateral CIs in the UK.

A survey of 15 of the 18 cochlear implant centres in England and Wales showed that 77 children and adults received bilateral cochlear implants during the financial year ending March 2008 (NICE final appraisal document). Of these, 39 were simultaneous implants and 38 were sequential implants.

As at November 2007, the charity CICS (Cochlear Implanted Children’s Support Group) knew of 43 children who have bilateral CIs in the UK. It should be noted that this is not an indication of all children’s cases but only those known to CICS. The data, however, gives a useful overview of the pattern of funding. Of these 43 cases, 27 were funded by NHS PCTs, seven were funded by private medical insurance, eight were funded by the families themselves and one case was funded as part of a research trial. Of the 27 NHS funded cases, 11 involved children whose deafness was caused by meningitis. Of the seven private medical insurance cases, three were for children deafened by meningitis.

Sources:

UK data from Twomey T, Craddock L, Raine C. Cochlear implants for deafness in children and adults. 2007. BAA/ BCIG/ ENT UK.
The Cochlear Implanted Children’s Support (CICS) Group.