Cochlear implant hearing rehabilitation in elderly patients

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the benefits of cochlear implant in adults with more than 65 years of age at time of surgery compared with those obtained by adults implanted at younger ages. The author also intended to evaluate the impact of cochlear implantation in the quality of life of older patients. Results: Outcomes of verbal discrimination performance in elderly cochlear implant users were generally lower than those obtained by the remaining adult population, with a statistical difference in 7 of 11 tests used in the study. The results obtained at the questionnaires answered by the elderly group revealed a significant reduction of hearing handicap after cochlear implantation. Conclusions: Age alone should not be a contraindication for hearing rehabilitation by cochlear implant. Despite producing a lower performance compared to that achieved by younger patients, cochlear implant in the elderly provides a significant improvement in quality of life.