Document Detail


Cochlear implantation in elderly patients: surgical and audiological outcome.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  19713692     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND: Deteriorated hearing affects speech perception and speech production, and negatively impacts on social interaction, employment, income, and, as a result, the quality of life of the elderly population. Lack of satisfaction with conventional hearing aids motivated part of them to turn to more sophisticated cochlear device systems. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the outcome of cochlear implantation (CI) among elderly cochlear implant recipients. METHODS: The medical records of 20 postlingual patients aged >65 years at the time of CI, who were followed up for a period of at least 12 months were retrospectively reviewed for age at the time of CI, the cause and duration of deafness, hearing aid experience, comorbidities, complications of the procedure and audiological outcome. Pre- and post-CI speech perception performance was tested using a battery of speech perception tests. RESULTS: In addition to bilateral severe to profound hearing loss, all 20 patients had some comorbidities and 13 had more than 2 pathologies that are associated with hearing impairment. Major complications such as facial nerve paralysis and foreign body reaction were rare (n = 2). Minor complications such as disequilibrium (n = 5) and wound problems (n = 5) resolved spontaneously or were successfully managed conservatively. There were no complications associated with general anesthesia used during the CI procedure. Statistical analysis using the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test showed significant differences (p < 0.01) between the pre- and postspeech perception categories. No significant correlations were found between the background data: unaided thresholds, aided thresholds, duration of profound deafness, duration of hearing aid use prior to CI, speech perception before CI and speech perception performance after CI using Pearson correlations. CONCLUSION: CI was found to be associated with significant hearing benefit in elderly candidates. However, every CI candidate must be informed about possible complications associated with the procedure, especially related to the vestibular system. At the same time, it should be made clear that life-threatening conditions are rare and that the surgery is usually safe.
Authors:
Lela Migirov; Riki Taitelbaum-Swead; Michael Drendel; Minka Hildesheimer; Jona Kronenberg
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article     Date:  2009-08-27
Journal Detail:
Title:  Gerontology     Volume:  56     ISSN:  1423-0003     ISO Abbreviation:  Gerontology     Publication Date:  2010  
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-03-15     Completed Date:  2010-06-03     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  7601655     Medline TA:  Gerontology     Country:  Switzerland    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  123-8     Citation Subset:  IM    
Copyright Information:
2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Israel. sabim@bezeqint.net
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Cochlear Implantation* / adverse effects
Cochlear Implants*
Hearing Loss / physiopathology,  surgery
Humans
Retrospective Studies
Speech Perception
Treatment Outcome

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