There is a paucity of information regarding the use of cochlear implan
ts within large populations, This article describes correlates of coch
lear implantation procedures using a statewide hospital discharge data
base, Among the 146 implant procedures, 55% involved female patients,
whereas the largest groups of patients were represented by younger and
older persons (27% between ages 2 and 9 years and 24% 60 years and ol
der), A bimodal distribution was apparent for average annual age-speci
fic rates of cochlear implantation, with the highest rates among perso
ns aged 2 to 9 years (5.4 implants per 1 million) and persons aged 60
to 69 years (3.7 implants per 1 million), Total hospital charges, excl
uding professional fees, exceeded $12,000 per implant and were found t
o vary significantly when examined by length of stay and by calendar y
ear of procedure, The data presented are unique with regard to the tot
al number of cochlear implant procedures included and the large, diver
se population used, This study expands knowledge concerning the epidem
iology and utilization of cochlear implantation.