How many cochlear implants are implanted worldwide?
The numbers are hard to find. The University of Michigan reported 100,000 worldwide last winter (2007). However, Cochlear Corporation, the largest of the 3 manufacturers reported: “…global sales of Cochlear’s implants jumped by 24 per cent on last year, with 15,947 units sold.” They also predict that only 10 % of the potential market is being treated. http://www.theage.com.au/news/Business/Cochlear-records-25-profit-growth/2007/08/14/1186857472537.html While not all of those units may be implanted in people, it shows that a substantial jump might be made each year if you add up the implantees from all the companies. Studies also mention that 3% of those are bilateral implantees, but that number is growing rapidly. (Litovsky) ***** In 1991, 24% of deaf college graduates reported NO income, and deaf graduates of secondary schools have more than twice the number of unemployed than the national average. (IRS data) In 1986, the average reading comprehension scores of the deaf leveled off
