I am writing as a concerned constituent supportive of the mission of the American Cochlear Implant Alliance asking you to protect Medicaid funding. Medicaid funds over 50% of cochlear implants (CI) in children. Cochlear implantation is a well-established medical procedure that has had FDA approval for adults since 1985 and for children since 1990. Cochlear implants restore the ability to perceive speech and environmental sounds for individuals with moderate to profound hearing loss who do not benefit sufficiently from hearing aids. Cochlear implant recipients of all ages are able to overcome the limitations of deafness and communicate freely, participate in the workforce, care for themselves and family members, and enjoy important quality of life benefits.
In 2016, an estimated 55% of US children who received cochlear implants accessed Medicaid funding for coverage of the intervention (Sorkin, Otol Neurotol 2019). A smaller though significant number of adults (22%) accessed Medicaid for CI in the same year. Without intervention with appropriate hearing assistive technology, adults with untreated or undertreated hearing loss may experience a downward trajectory in their ability to work and participate in daily living. Children who receive early cochlear implants develop age-appropriate language, hold meaningful jobs, and contribute.
The financial impact of adult hearing loss is growing. In 2002, lost productivity attributed to hearing loss was $1.4 billion; this is expected to grow to $9 billion by 2030 for those who do not have access to appropriate hearing technology (Stucky, Wolf & Kuo, 2010). Providing CI via Medicaid not only provides quality of life benefits for individuals, it also results in long term governmental savings and societal benefits.
Please protect Medicaid.
