J Audiol Otol.  2023 Oct;27(4):205-211. 10.7874/jao.2023.00136.

Cochlear Implantation in the Elderly: Speech Performance, Associated Factor, Complication, and Surgical Safety

• Oh M
• Oh EJ
• Jung B
• Yoo MH
• Yoo SY
• Jung DJ
• Lee KY

• KMID: 2546914
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7874/jao.2023.00136

Abstract

Background and Objectives
The guidelines for cochlear implantation (CIs) are expanding, and the number of CI procedures performed on the elderly is increasing. The purpose of this study was to analyze the results and safety of cochlear implantation in the elderly, as well as to evaluate the predictive factors on CI outcomes.
Subjects and Methods
The study included 56 patients aged ≥40 years, who received CIs between 2009 and 2020. They were divided into two groups: 27 younger adults (40-64 years) and 29 elderly (>64 years). The study compared their pre- and postoperative speech perception and category of auditory performance (CAP) scores, surgical complications, and hospitalization periods. It also evaluated associated factors in the elderly group by examining categorical and continuous variables and postoperative CAP score.
Results
There was a significant improvement in speech recognition tests (both word and sentence) and CAP scores in both groups compared to the pre-implantation scores (p<0.001). Postoperative results were slightly lower in the elderly group than in younger adults for sentence recognition and CAP scores, except for word recognition. No significant associated factors were found on postoperative CAP scores, except for etiology. Postoperative CAP significantly improved in the sudden hearing loss group compared to the groups with other etiologies (p=0.045). The elderly group had more comorbidities than that in the younger adult group (p=0.026), but there were no significant differences in postoperative complications and hospitalization periods.
Conclusions
While speech recognition and CAP scores were relatively lower in the elderly group compared to the younger adults, the elderly group showed significant improvements in audiological results after CI. Moreover, CI was safe and well tolerated in elderly patients.

Keyword

Cochlear implantation; Aged; Speech perception; Postoperative complication