Socioeconomic disparities in receipt of cochlear implantation surgery in American children in 2016

Abstract

Objective

This study strives to determine how social determinants of health impact the rate at which pediatric patients receive cochlear implantations.

Methods

The 2016 Kids Inpatient Database was used to determine how different socioeconomic factors statistically impacted the rates of patients receiving cochlear implants. A two-sample independent t-test, univariate, and multivariate regression were used.

Results

Patients with CI surgery were younger and had longer inpatient stays (p < 0.001 & p = 0.017, respectively). Asian/Island Pacific patients were proportionately more likely to receive CI surgery (p = 0.003). Patients visiting hospitals in the South and Midwest regions of America were less likely to receive CI surgery (p < 0.001 & p = 0.004, respectively). Patients in the West and Northeast were more likely to receive implantation (p = 0.019).

Conclusion

Black and Hispanic children were the least likely to receive implantation, while white and Asian children were more likely to receive them. Patients in the South and Midwest were noted to be less likely to receive implantation. To enhance the quality and efficiency of care, it is necessary to identify and address these disparities to achieve more equitable healthcare for pediatric sensorineural hearing loss patients.