Current Trends in Treating Hearing Loss in Elderly People: A Review of the Technology and Treatment Options – A Mini-Review

Abstract

Background: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), by 2025 there will be approximately 1.2 billion people in the world over the age of 60, which marks a shift in world population to a greater proportion of older people. An estimated 70–80% of adults between 65 and 75 years of age suffer from presbycusis, or age-related, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (HL) in the high frequencies. Presbycusis is correlated with decreased quality of life (QoL) and depression and according to WHO, is a leading cause of years lived with disability in the adult years. Objective: The purpose of the current study was to review the body of literature on treatment options and considerations for the elderly population, as there is a variety of audio-technology available today to treat presbycusis. Methods: A PubMed literature search was conducted using the keywords ‘presbycusis/presbyacusis/geriatric AND hearing aids/cochlear implants/electric acoustic stimulation/middle ear implants’ and ‘elderly AND cochlear implants’. References were also mined from papers found. Results: 431 articles were considered in this review of treatment options for elderly patients suffering from presbycusis. Conclusion: Hearing aids and cochlear implants (CIs) are the most commonly used devices for treating mild-severe presbycusis. Reported outcomes with hearing aids indicate they are an effective method for treating mild-moderate HL in cases where the patient is appropriately fitted and is willing, motivated, and able to use the device. Depending on the type and severity of the HL and the specific needs of the patient, electric-acoustic stimulation and active middle ear implants may also be appropriate solutions for treating presbycusis. Finally, very positive QoL and speech perception outcomes have been documented in treating severe-profound presbycusis with CIs. In some studies, QoL outcomes have even exceeded expectations of elderly patients.

Wahrnehmung von Hörproblemen bei älteren Menschen

“…Davon werden laut Weltgesundheitsorganisation (WHO) schätzungsweise 500 Mio. von einer altersbedingten Hör-minderung betroffen sein [16].…”

Using Technology to Retain Baby Boomers in the Workforce

“…An estimated 25% of people aged 65-75 years and 70-80% of people over age 75 suffer from sensorineural hearing impairment associated with aging (known as presbycusis) (Sprinzl et al, 2010). This condition is typically caused by gradual changes in the inner ear.…”

Hearing Loss and Approaches to Hearing Loss in Elderly

“…Ancak günümüzde yapılan çalışmalar ve uygulamalar işitme cihazından fazla yarar görmeyen, ileriçok ileri derecede iç kulak kaynaklı işitme kaybı olan yaşlı bireylerde koklear implant uygulamalarının oldukça başarılı olduğunu göstermektedir. 30,31,32 Koklear implant 60 yaş ve üstü bireylerde 1990'lı yıllardan itibaren güvenilir olarak uygulanmakta ve gerek intra-operatif gerekse post-operatif komplikasyon oranı oldukça düşüktür. 30 Yaşları 65-80 arasında değişen postlingual işitme kaybı olan ve koklear implant kullanan 38 yaşlı bireyde yapılan uzunlamasına çalışmada konuşmayı anlama performans testlerinde başarılı test sonuçları rapor edilmiştir.…”

“…30,31,32 Koklear implant 60 yaş ve üstü bireylerde 1990'lı yıllardan itibaren güvenilir olarak uygulanmakta ve gerek intra-operatif gerekse post-operatif komplikasyon oranı oldukça düşüktür. 30 Yaşları 65-80 arasında değişen postlingual işitme kaybı olan ve koklear implant kullanan 38 yaşlı bireyde yapılan uzunlamasına çalışmada konuşmayı anlama performans testlerinde başarılı test sonuçları rapor edilmiştir. 31 Bir başka çalışmada ise yaşları 65-91 yaş arasında değişen 258 koklear implant kullanıcısı ile yaşları 14-64 yaş arasında değişen 491 koklear implant kullanıcısının konuşma performansları incelenmiştir.…”