[Cochlear implant for elder patients over 75 years old]

Objective: To evaluate the operation safety, hearing as well as speech results of cochlear implantation that were applied in patients over 75 years old. Method: A series of patients who were diagnosed as severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss and received cochlear implantation were admitted. The clinical data and rehabilitation effects of the patients who were over 75 years old were summarized. Result: During this period, in which 7(1.31%) patients aged over 75 at implantation. The age ranged from 75 to 88, with an average of 80 years old. All of the 7 patients received a safe operation under general anesthesia. No major or minor complications happened related to surgery and anesthesia. Only one 84 years old male patient suffered from a transient mild balance problem. Follow up were carried out regularly, ranging from 4-40 months. The average of categories of auditory performance and speech intelligibility rating is 4 and 5 respectively. Conclusion: The cochlear implant surgery and general anesthesia are safe for patients over 75 years old, and these patients can benefit from cochlear implantation.