Hearing loss is impairment of hearing and its severity may vary from mild to severe and in general hearing loss may be conductive, sensorineural or mixed. Sensorineural hearing loss or nerve deafness is a type of hearing loss, which results from problems with the inner ear, related to the cochlea, eighth cranial nerve, internal auditory canal, or brain.

Cochlear implantation is proven and established treatment for the restoration of speech perception and communication in people suffering from hearing disability and the provision of hearing people born deaf. The FDA first approved cochlear implants in the mid-1980s to treat hearing loss in adults. Since 2000, cochlear implants have been FDA approved for use in eligible children aging above 12 months.

Furthermore, in January 2018, a study published by the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences (MPI CBS) and the University Medical Centre Dresden revealed that deaf children with a cochlear implant learn words faster than those with normal hearing. The reason for this finding states that, in deaf children, hearing learn aspects of language only starts at the time of their cochlear replacement, at the age of around one to four years. By this time certain brain structures necessary for language acquisition are already well developed. Moreover, upcoming studies will be focused on why some of the affected children struggle to reach the level of their contemporaries with normal hearing. Such extensive research for understanding hearing loss and increasing number of people suffering from these conditions area expected to offer lucrative opportunity for growth of artificial cochlea market over the forecast period.

A cochlear implant device is an electronic instrument, part of which is implanted surgically inside patient’s ear to stimulate auditory nerve fibers and part of which is worn or carried by the individual to capture, analyze, and code sound. Cochlear implant usually consist of two main systems: one is the externally worn microphone, sound processor and transmitter system, and the second is the implanted receiver and electrode system, which contains the electronic circuits that receive signals from the external system and send electrical currents to the inner ear. Recent artificial cochlear have a magnet, which holds the external system in place next to the implanted internal system. The external system may be worn entirely behind the ear or its parts may be worn in a pocket, belt pouch, or harness.

Artificial Cochlea Market – Drivers

Increasing technological advancement in the cochlear implant is offering wide variety of solutions to meet the need of patients with hearing aids or cochlear implant processors. Various cochlear implant technology and services evolved and improved during the inception of cochlear impact includes dual microphone directional technology, improved signal processing to improve speech understanding, integration of wireless hearing assistance technology, electroacoustic stimulation, bilateral cochlear implantation, and automatic acoustic scene classification. Furthermore, key players in these market are engaged in gaining more regulatory approvals in the next few years and launching various innovative technology development in artificial cochlear device. For instance, in November 2017, Cochlear Limited; received the U.S.FDA approval for first remote feature to their Nucleus cochlear implant system thorough a telemedicine platform, which allow follow-up programming sessions. This approval is first in the artificial cochlear implant industry, benefiting various cochlear implant patients who are unable to access consistent follow-ups. .

Furthermore, increasing incidence and prevalence of hearing loss and nerve deafness, worldwide combined with growing adaptation of artificial cochlea is expected to drive growth of artificial cochlea market in near future. For instance, according to the JAMA Journal: January 2016; more than 500 million people worldwide have hearing loss. Moreover, more than 60 million have severe hearing loss. According to National Institutes of Health (NIH), October 2010 data sheet, nearly 188,000 individuals, worldwide are fitted with cochlear implant and more than 41,000 adults and nearly 26,000 children in U.S. have one cochlear impact. Moreover, according to National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) data findings, March 2017, around 15% of American adults (37.5 million) aged 18 and over report some trouble in hearing.

According to the data published in International Journal of Biological & Medical Research in 2011, diabetes mellitus may be implicated as independent causative factor of sensorineural hearing loss in diabetes patient. The study also stated that, the number of people affected with sensorineural deafness among the diabetics is 73.3% as compared to that of the controls 6.7%. According to National Institutes of Health (NIH), October 2010 data sheet, NIH scientists determined cochlear implants to be cost beneficial in children. The cost of cochlear implantation, adjustments and training averages around US$ 60,000. In comparison, the services, special education, and adaptation related to child that is deaf before age three costs more than US$ 1 million. These makes cochlear implantation a beneficial treatment option with younger child or child born deaf.

Scientists and researchers working in the field of hearing loss and other communication disorders are engaged in optimizing the current generation of cochlear technology in order to provide efficient artificial cochlear to users, such as novel signal processing and improved microphones could be used to help reduce background noise. Furthermore, new battery technology is under development to make these devices more convenient for users.

Artificial Cochlea Market – Restraints

Lack of proper reimbursement policies to cover cochlea implantation surgery procedures is expected to restrain growth of artificial cochlea market over the forecast period. The current Medicare coverage policy does not clearly indicate whether the bilateral cochlear implantation is covered for either simultaneous or sequential cochlea implantation surgeries. Moreover, coverage for bilateral cochlear implantation is very inconsistent. Recent data published in Otology and Neurology Journal, in August 2017, stated that, there is marked differences in Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement for all cochlea implant related services. Furthermore, Medicaid reimbursement varied in amount between U.S. states and shows great variability in reimbursement within audiology, surgery, and speech services.

Artificial Cochlea Market – Regional Analysis

Geographically, the market is segmented into North America, Latin America, Europe, Middle East, Asia Pacific, and Africa. North America holds the dominant position in artificial cochlea market. North America artificial cochlea market is expected to witness lucrative growth opportunities during the forecast period, owing to increasing prevalence of hearing loss cases and presence of various key players in these region offering advanced and innovative product solution. For instance, according to National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), March 2017, data findings, as of December 2012, around 324,200 registered devices have been implanted worldwide. In the U.S., roughly 58,000 devices have been implanted in adults and 38,000 in children.

Asia Pacific region is expected to witness significant growth in artificial cochlea market, owing to increasing incidence of hearing loss cases and increasing initiatives by government organization in reducing the disorder burden. For instance, in June 2017, the Karnataka State Health Department launched the Cochlear Implant Project under the ‘Deafness Free Karnataka’. The program launched under the National Health Mission, Department of Health and Family Welfare Services and implemented through Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust (SAST) under Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakrama (RBSK). As a part of program, children with severe or profound hearing loss are treated free of cost. Children between 8 months to 6 years are eligible for the Cochlear implants.

Artificial Cochlea Market – Competitor

Some of the key players operating in this market include Cochlear Ltd., MED-EL, Sonova Holding AG, and Advanced Bionics AG.

Artificial Cochlea Market – Taxonomy

By Product Type