Impact of Hearing Rehabilitation Using Cochlear Implants on Cognitive Function in Older Patients

To assess the effects of hearing rehabilitation with cochlear implants on a subset of cognitive domains in older patients (≥65 yr).

Prospective observational study.

Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Goethe-University Frankfurt/Main.

Patients aged between 65 and 86 years who have received unilateral cochlear implant (CI) therapy.

Unilateral cochlear implantation.

The dementia screening test (DemTect) and the trail making test (TMT) were carried out on three occasions: previous to the surgery, at the initial fitting (about 1 month after surgery) and 6 months after surgery.

The average overall score on the DemTect scale increased significantly within 6 months of CI treatment (p = 0.049), with verbal aspects improving particularly markedly. The results of the trail making test showed that within 6 months of CI treatment, processing speed increased significantly (TMT A: p = 0.003; TMT B: p = 0.001).

A pre-post comparison showed that aural rehabilitation with a CI results in an improvement in cognitive subdomains. Further comprehensive randomized-controlled studies may be necessary to evaluate possible confounding variables and to assess long-term results.