Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.
2008 Jun;51(6):513-517.
Outcome Analysis of Cochlear Implantation in Elderly Patients
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. chongkim@snu.ac.kr
- 2Department of Otolaryngology, Seoul Metropolitan Boramae Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Surgical indications and effect of auditory rehabilitation have not been established in elderly deaf patients who received cochlear implant (CI). The aim of this study is to analyze the outcomes of CI with respect to auditory performance and surgical complication in elderly deaf patients.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
Nineteen postlingually deafened patients who were 60 years and older at the time of implantation were included in the study from April 1992 to October 2006. They were compared to a group of 53 younger patients (<60 years) at the time of implantation. Surgical complications were identified and speech performance was evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years.
RESULTS
In the etiology, progressive hearing loss was most common in both groups. Perioperative complications such as temporary dizziness, wound problem, tinnitus, and temporary facial weakness showed no significant differences between elderly and control groups despite higher incidence of underlying disease in elderly patients. Preoperative speech performance (audiologic K-CID) was significantly better in control group than in elderly group, but there were no significant differences in postoperative period.
CONCLUSION
The outcomes of CI in the elderly patients have been comparable with those of younger adults. Advanced age alone could not preclude anyone from being candidates of CI.
