Long term results after cochlear implantation in elderly patients

Background: Cochlear implantation has become the method of choice for the treatment of deaf patients. A better technology of stimulation opened a wider field of patients suitable for cochlear implantation. Aim of the present study was to evaluate to which extent senior patients benefit by cochlear implantation. Patients and Methods: 36 patients between 65 and 85 years were tested by the Freiburger speech test for monosyllabic words and by the HSM sentence test with and without noise. The results were compared to those of younger implanted patients (16 - 64 years, n = 101). Results: The speech perception for monosyllabic words did not differ significantly between both groups. A maximum plateau in speech perception for monosyllabic words was reached after 2 years at 55%. The HSM sentence test revealed significant differences in the increase of speech perception between senior and younger patients in the first post surgical year. After one year elderly patients reached the same perception score as younger patients with a maximum of approximately 80% after 3 years. At a signal to noise ratio of 15% younger patients achieved a maximal perception of 55% after 1 year whereas senior patients needed 4 years to reach this level. Conclusions: Senior patients benefited by cochlear implantation to the same extent as younger patients did. Senior patients gained a similar speech perception level as younger implanted patients although the elderly needed more time to reach the same scores. Nevertheless, cochlear implantation should not be denied due to age alone.