Cochlear Implant Therapy Improves the Quality of Life in Older Patients-A Prospective Evaluation Study.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effects of cochlear implant (CI) hearing rehabilitation on quality of life in older patients (≥65 yr).

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective observational study.

SETTING

Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Medical University Frankfurt/Main.

PATIENTS

Patients aged between 65 and 86 years who received unilateral CI therapy for the first time.

INTERVENTION

Unilateral cochlear implantation.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

In addition to audiological parameters, the World Health Organization Quality-of-Life Scale - old (WHOQL-OLD) was used to assess quality of life prior to surgery, at the time of first fitting of the audio processor (approx. 1 mo after surgery) and 6 months afterward. Dementia and depression were excluded using dementia detection test (DemTect) and geriatric depression scale.

RESULTS

Speech recognition improved significantly during the study period. Furthermore, the total WHOQL-OLD score showed a significant improvement of quality of life comparing the preoperative and the 6 months data (60.0 ± 15.7 to 66.8 ± 12.2 points) (p = 0.001). Only 6 months after surgery, comparable quality of life values were achieved compared to the corresponding population average of the same age group (67.96 ± 14.74 points). No statistically significant difference remained between the study group and the age-adjusted population average (p = 0.37).

CONCLUSION

To achieve auditory rehabilitation, CI treatment in older patients can be strongly recommended, not only hearing rehabilitation, but also to improve quality of life.