Cochlear implantation improves cognition in younger patients

Introduction

The positive effect of hearing rehabilitation with CI on cognition in elderly patients is known from the literature and own studies. The aim of the present study is to investigate the success of cochlear implantation (CI) on cognitive abilities in middle-aged patients, since hearing impairment is a major risk factor for the development of dementia in middle-aged patients.

Patients and methods

Thirty-two patients (♂=18; ♀=14, mean age 52.0) were included in the prospective study and examined preoperatively and 12 months after CI.

Cognition was measured in points using four selected tests from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS IV) divided into working memory (WM) and processing speed (PS). Speech comprehension was assessed using the Freiburger Einsilbertest (FES) at rest.

Results

Already 1 year postoperatively, WM improved from 84.1  ± 16.7 points preoperatively to 91.0  ± 17.1 points postoperatively (p  ≤ 0.0001). PS was 91.6  ± 12.8 points preoperatively and increased significantly to 95.4  ± 13.8 (p=0.011) 12 months postoperatively.

Speech understanding at rest also improved significantly postoperatively.

Discussion

The significant improvement of cognitive performance and speech comprehension after CI surgery in middle-aged patients already after 1 year shows a clear success of care. This could also indicate a risk reduction of dementia development within 1 year postoperatively.

Publication History

Article published online:
24 May 2022