Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 7, 2026
06:04
Systematic Hearing Performance Evaluation Process for Adolescents with Cochlear Implantation at Early Ages
Published on: March 24, 2023
410
Cochlear implants: the effects of age on outcomes
Emily R Spitzer1, Susan B Waltzman1
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
Expert Review of Medical Devices
|November 16, 2023
Summary
Cochlear implants (CIs) benefit all ages, with younger children showing greater language gains. Older adults may experience less improvement, but CIs remain effective across the lifespan.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Otolaryngology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Cochlear implants (CIs) offer sound access for individuals with severe hearing loss unresponsive to hearing aids.
- Age at implantation is a critical factor influencing long-term CI outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the impact of age at implantation on various outcomes in infants, children, adolescents, and older adults.
- To analyze the effects of age on speech perception, language development, cognition, and quality of life.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on age-related outcomes in cochlear implant recipients.
- Analysis of diverse outcome measures including speech, language, cognitive, and quality of life assessments.
Main Results:
- CIs are beneficial at all ages; younger pre-lingual recipients generally show greater benefits.
- Post-lingually deafened adults experience consistent benefits, though very elderly individuals (80+) may show reduced improvement.
- Age impacts specific outcomes: language is most affected in young children, while cognition is most affected in older adults.
Conclusions:
- Cochlear implantation is effective across the lifespan, with age influencing the degree and type of benefit.
- Future research should explore implantation at extreme ages and utilize diverse outcome measures, including qualitative assessments and longitudinal studies.
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