Benefits of cochlear implantation in elderly patients

TLDR

Cochlear implantation in older adults remains controversial. The study aimed to assess the surgical outcomes, audiologic performance, and social benefits of cochlear implantation in patients over 60. A retrospective comparison of 27 patients over 60 with 15 adult controls evaluated surgical safety, audiologic tests, and questionnaire responses on communication and social impact. The surgery was safe, with no increase in minor complications, and audiologic outcomes were similar to younger patients; 83 % achieved >60 % open‑set speech discrimination at 12 months, and quality‑of‑life benefits and cost‑utility were comparable to younger cohorts.

Abstract

Cochlear implantation in elderly patients is a questionable subject. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the procedure and its outcome, the postoperative course, and the audiologic and social benefits of cochlear implantation in this population. Twenty-seven patients older than 60 years were compared with a control group of 15 adult patients. This retrospective study analyzed data concerning the outcome of the procedure, postoperative course, postoperative orthophonic test results, and answers of a questionnaire assessing the changes in communication, perception, and social outcomes. The procedure was uneventful in both groups. Minor complications were not more frequent in elderly patients. Orthophonic test results were comparable in both groups. At 12 months, 83% of the elderly patients had an open-set speech discrimination score above 60%. The benefits of cochlear implantation in terms of the quality of life are not statistically different with younger patients. Cost-utility analysis might support these findings.