Cochlear implant performance in geriatric patients

Abstract

Geriatric CI patients have a similar learning curve to younger adults, and in speech tests in quiet they show a comparable performance. However, their performance is significantly lower in noisy surroundings. This may be due to the central presbycusis in patients older than 70 years and should be taken into account in postoperative fitting of these patients. Further prospective studies are required to evaluate the role of special rehabilitation methods and cognitive training to improve the speech perception in noise in geriatric CI patients.