Cognitive function and quality of life in older adult patients with cochlear implants. (2nd April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sorrentino, Tommaso; Donati, Giulia; Nassif, Nader; Pasini, Sara; Redaelli de Zinis, Luca O.
• Is Part Of: International journal of audiology. Volume 59:Number 4(2020)
• Page Start: 316
• Page End: 322
• Publication Date: 2020-04-02
• Subjects: Aging -- cochlear implantation -- cognitive function -- older adults -- quality of life; Audiology -- Periodicals; Hearing disorders -- Periodicals; Deafness -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Hearing Disorders -- Periodicals; Hearing -- Periodicals; 617.8
• DOI: 10.1080/14992027.2019.1696993
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1499-2027

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the benefits of cochlear implant (CI) on speech perception, quality of life (QoL), and cognitive function in profoundly deafened older adults. Design: Longitudinal and cross-sectional cohort study. Study sample: Participants in this study were CI recipients aged 65 years or older (experimental group), CI recipients aged 50 years or younger (control group 1), and normal-hearing participants aged 65 years or older (control group 2). Results: Speech perception significantly improved in both groups of implanted patients (preoperative vs. 1-year median [IQR] sentence recognition: older patients, 0 (0–20) vs. 90 (70–95), p = 0.001; younger patients, 35 (0–50) vs. 90 (80–100), p = 0.001). There were no significant differences in QoL (Glasgow Benefit Inventory) between younger and older patients (median [IQR] overall benefit score, 42 (31–64) vs. 53 (39–69), p = 0.2). Mini-Mental State Examination scores showed no significant differences between elderly CI recipients and normal-hearing participants (median [IQR], 28 (26–28) vs. 28 (27–29), p = 0.5). Conclusions: Cochlear implantation rehabilitation allows the profoundly deafened older adult to lead a QoL comparable to that of a younger patient. The correlation between hearing restoration and cognitive function preservation in older adults suggest a possible role for CI as a useful resource in limiting age-related cognitive decline.