Improving quality of life through hearing rehabilitation using cochlear implant in very elderly patients

Introduction 

In the elderly population, profound hearing loss is one of the most common chronic diseases. As a consequence of demographic change, the proportion of very old patients in CI consultations is continuously increasing and more and more very old patients are treated with a cochlear implant (CI). So far, there are only few data beyond hearing improvement in this age group.

Material and Methods 

This prospective observational study included twelve highly aged patients between the ages of 76. and 85. Patients were unilaterally or bilaterally deaf or severely hearing impaired and were treated with a CI unilaterally for the first time. Quality of life was assessed by WHOQL-OLD questionnaire.

Results 

For the WHOQOL-OLD total score, there was a nonsignificant decrease from the preoperative survey of 56.5  ± 3.5 points to the initial fitting of 54.4  ± 2.7 points (p  = 0.26). After only six months, the score increased to 61.1  ± 2.1. The increase was significant (p  = 0.001). The facet "sensory abilities" showed a highly significant improvement from the preoperative survey with 35.4  ± 25.2 to 54.7  ± 8.5 points six months postoperatively. There was no significant difference between the preoperative survey and the initial fitting (p  = 0.74).

Summary

Our data demonstrated an extremely positive impact of hearing rehabilitation using CI on quality of life in very elderly patients over the age of 75. Even in this age group there is a very rapid and significant increase in quality of life within only six months.

Publication History

Article published online:
24 May 2022