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Updated: May 24, 2026
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Systematic Hearing Performance Evaluation Process for Adolescents with Cochlear Implantation at Early Ages
Published on: March 24, 2023
Long-term performance of cochlear implants in postlingually deafened adults
Minoo Lenarz1, Hasibe Sönmez, Gert Joseph
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Charité, Medical University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany. minoo.lenarz@charite.de
Summary
Adults with post-lingual deafness achieve stable hearing performance with cochlear implants (CI) within six months. This hearing stability is maintained for over 20 years, demonstrating the technology's long-term reliability.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Otolaryngology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Cochlear implantation (CI) is a common treatment for post-lingual deafness in adults.
- Understanding long-term hearing performance stability is crucial for managing patient expectations and optimizing rehabilitation strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the long-term stability of hearing performance in postlingually deafened adults following cochlear implantation.
- To identify the limitations of current speech test batteries used for evaluating adult CI patients.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective chart review of 1005 adult patients who received unilateral cochlear implants.
- Patients were unilaterally implanted after age 18, with no inner ear malformations or ossification.
- Hearing performance was evaluated using 5 standard German speech tests over a follow-up period exceeding 20 years.
Main Results:
- Significant hearing performance improvement occurred within the first 6 months post-implantation (learning phase).
- A stable plateau phase was observed thereafter, with no significant changes for over 20 years.
- The study presents average cohort performance, ceiling effects, and results for high and low performers across tests.
Conclusions:
- Postlingually deafened adults typically require approximately 6 months to adapt to cochlear implant signals.
- Hearing performance stabilizes for over two decades, highlighting the long-term efficacy of cochlear implant technology.
- The study also examined the 'ceiling effect' in speech tests used for adult CI patient evaluation.