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Published on: August 4, 2023
Differential cochlear implant outcomes in older adults
Daniel S Roberts1, Harrison W Lin, Barbara S Herrmann
1Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA.
The Laryngoscope
|June 6, 2013
Summary
Older cochlear implant (CI) recipients over 80 had poorer speech perception but similar surgical outcomes. A family history of hearing loss may predict better CI outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Otolaryngology
- Geriatric Medicine
Background:
- Cochlear implantation (CI) is a common treatment for sensorineural hearing loss.
- Outcomes in older adults (over 65) are not well-established.
- Understanding age-related differences is crucial for patient counseling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare surgical and audiological outcomes in adult cochlear implant (CI) users aged 65+ versus younger adults.
- To identify factors influencing outcomes in older CI recipients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 113 postlingually deafened adults with unilateral cochlear implants.
- Analysis of preoperative and postoperative speech perception scores, medical, and epidemiological data.
Main Results:
- CI users over 65 demonstrated significantly poorer speech perception compared to younger adults (P = .012).
- Patients over 80 years old accounted for this poorer performance (P = .017).
- Older patients had fewer vestibular symptoms or complications; a family history of hearing loss trended toward better speech recognition (P = .062).
Conclusions:
- Adults over 80 receiving cochlear implants had lower speech perception scores but similar complication rates.
- Family history of hearing loss may be a novel prognostic factor for CI success.
- Findings aid clinicians in counseling elderly CI candidates.
