Olivia M. Michigan

Cochlear Implants

The government should help fund Cochlear Implants.

Dear Future President,

I did research on the internet and found out that some people can't afford to buy a Cochlear Implant and I think after my research that the government should help fund Cochlear Implants because they cost a lot of money, not all insurances cover the full cost, and so people with a hearing loss can do the same things as someone that doesn't have a hearing loss.

According to “American Academy Of Otolaryngology” Cochlear Implants can cost up to $100,000 for evaluation, surgery, the device, and rehabilitation. Also according to “NIH: Institute On Deafness And Other Communication Disorders” not all insurances cover the full cost and most children with a hearing loss were born deaf but they can become deaf over their lifetime.

Even though 2-3 out of 1000 children are born with a detectable level of hearing loss in one or both ears that is a lot of money just for someone to hear. The reason I think the government should help fund cochlear implants is so if someone with a hearing loss wants to play a sport they can get a Cochlear Implant and then hear their coach. If someone that is hard of hearing is with their friend and their friend gets hurt how are they going to call 911 if they can't hear someone on the other side of the phone?

One thing we can do to help people that are hard of hearing get a cochlear implant is find ways to make the evaluation, surgery, the device, and rehabilitation cheaper or we can make sure every person gets at least one cochlear implant for free in their lifetime.

Again I think the government should help fund Cochlear Implants because they cost a lot of money, not all insurances cover the full cost, and so people with a hearing loss can do the same things as someone that doesn't have a hearing loss.