When it comes to medical issues (or even general issues) people like options. I for one think the world is better with CI’s available to who ever wants one. I’d just like in my old age to have a few more options on the table, versus take this or leave it.
I’m not a statistics guy but I do find these numbers extremely interesting. As of today there are approximately 430 million people in the world with a disabling hearing loss. That’s a lot of people like me.
But since CI came out in 1980’s only 736,900 have been surgically implanted in the world, per 2019 calculations. And in the U.S. only 200,000 CI have been implanted again per 2019 numbers.
So when I read 430 million people have disabling hearing, yet only 800,000 willing candidates have agreed to a CI - it just makes me wonder why such a low numbers. Sure some of it is the cost of getting a CI and the fact that some countries don’t even offer such medical treatment.
Yet I think the real reason for low participation is the “no guarantee” someone hearing might or might not improve and the fact that many people are in denial regarding their hearing loss. Or like me - aware of the handicap yet not willing to roll the dice to see what happens. What I’d like to see in CI user numbers is say 20 million people (with disabling hearing) have turned to CI for improved hearing versus saying just 800,000 have.
Again, this is not a knock agaisnt CI’s but just a realistic look at how few people with deafness/severe hearing loss choose to get a CI, versus the millions who have decided not to get one.