Cochlear Implantation for Electric-Acoustic Stimulation in the elderly

Introduction:

This retrospective study aimed to establish a treatment plan for the elderly population with severe-to-profound hearing impairment in the high-frequency hearing range and low-frequency residual hearing thresholds. Based on the progress of hearing loss and the utilization of the acoustic amplification pathophysiological conclusions can be drawn that are relevant for prospective consultations.

Methods:

We analysed the results of 87 patients 65 years of age at implantation and residual hearing with at least 80dB on 0,5 kHz preoperatively. All subjects received a CI from May 2009 until July 2017. Each subject of this group with at least 65dB postoperatively residual hearing on 0,5 kHz was fitted with an EAS system.

Results:

Out of the 87 patients, 33 were potential EAS candidates preoperatively. 9 of these 33 patients showed postoperatively good hearing preservation and were fitted with the EAS systems. 8 patients, 5 female and 3 male, benefit from the EAS system until 2 years postimplantation. Comparing the speech perception posttreatment using the EAS system and the ES system the speech recognition showed 5 – 10% better scores in the Freiburg monosyllable word test in quiet and 30% better scores in the HSM-senctence-test using the EAS system.

Conclusion:

A hearing loss in the elderly does not necessarily lead to the loss of residual hearing after implantation. Older adults benefit from the use of the acoustic amplification in addition to the electric hearing with CI. The safety and confidence to keep the well-known hearing impression encourages also elderly patients to dare to undertake the CI procedure for the hearing improvement. The conclusions we take from the observed progress of the residual hearing serve the consultation of elderly adults prior the CI surgery.

Publication History

Publication Date:
23 April 2019 (online)