Relationship between cognition and psychometric outcome after cochlear implantation of over 70-year-old, post-lingual hearing impaired persons

Objective The aim of this study was the complex evaluation of the psychometric outcome of over 70-year-old bilateral hearing-impaired patients after unilateral cochlear implantation (CI) as a function of cognitive performance.

Patient and method In this prospective study, 31 post-lingual deafened CI candidates, aged 70 years and older (76.3 ± 4.7 years) with unilateral CI were examined over a follow-up period of at least 12 months. Cognitive abilities were assessed by working memory (AG) and processing speed (VG) (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale 4th ed., WAIS-IV). Beyond that, speech comprehension (Freiburg monosyllabic Test), tinnitus (Göbel & Hiller), quality of life (NCIQ), depression (ADS-L), anxiety (GAD-7) and stress (PSQ) were analysed.

Results Quality of life correlated significantly with processing speed at 6 and 12 months after CI (p <0.05). There is also a significant correlation between the tinnitus exposure and the processing speed preoperatively and 12 months after CI. Mental comorbidities were neither preoperative nor postoperative dependent on cognition.

Conclusion The results support the hypothesis that the effects of CI on cognitive performance and on psychometric outcome are influenced by reciprocal relationships.

Poster-PDF A-2030.PDF

Publication History

Article published online:
10 June 2020