Illg Angelika, Lukaschyk Julia, Kludt Eugen, Lesinski-Schiedat Anke, Billinger-Finke Mareike
German Hearing Center, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University Hannover, Karl-Wiechert-Allee 3, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
MED-EL GmbH, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
J Pers Med. 2022 Oct 5;12(10):1658. doi: 10.3390/jpm12101658.
Research suggests that cochlear implant (CI) use in elderly people improves speech perception and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). CI provision could also prevent dementia and other comorbidities and support healthy aging. The aim of this study was (1) to prospectively investigate potential changes in HRQOL and speech perception and (2) to identify clinical action points to improve CI treatment. Participants ( = 45) were CI recipients aged 60-90 with postlingual deafness. They were divided into groups, according to age: Group 1 ( = 20) received a CI between the age of 60-70 years; group 2 ( = 25) between the age of 71-90 years. HRQOL and speech perception were assessed preoperatively, and three and twelve months postoperatively. HRQOL and speech perception increased significantly within one year postoperatively in both groups. No difference between groups was found. We conclude that CI treatment improves speech perception and HRQOL in elderly users. Improvement of the referral process for CI treatment and a holistic approach when discussing CI treatment in the elderly population could prevent auditory deprivation and the deterioration of cognitive abilities.
研究表明，老年人使用人工耳蜗（CI）可改善言语感知和健康相关生活质量（HRQOL）。提供人工耳蜗还可预防痴呆和其他合并症，并支持健康老龄化。本研究的目的是（1）前瞻性调查健康相关生活质量和言语感知的潜在变化，以及（2）确定改善人工耳蜗治疗的临床关键点。参与者（n = 45）为60 - 90岁的人工耳蜗植入受者，均为语后聋。根据年龄将他们分为两组：第1组（n = 20）在60 - 70岁之间接受人工耳蜗植入；第2组（n = 25）在71 - 90岁之间接受人工耳蜗植入。在术前、术后3个月和12个月评估健康相关生活质量和言语感知。两组患者术后1年内健康相关生活质量和言语感知均显著提高。未发现两组之间存在差异。我们得出结论，人工耳蜗治疗可改善老年使用者的言语感知和健康相关生活质量。改善人工耳蜗治疗的转诊流程，以及在老年人群中讨论人工耳蜗治疗时采用整体方法，可预防听觉剥夺和认知能力下降。
