Effect of cochlear implantation on cognitive decline and quality of life in younger and older adults with severe-to-profound hearing loss

Abstract

Purpose (a) To measure the change in cognition, the improvement of speech perception, and the subjective benefit in people under and over 60 years following cochlear implantation. (b) To assess the relationship between cognition, demographic, audiometric, and subjective outcomes in both age groups. Methods 28 cochlear implant (CI) users were assigned to the < 60y group and 35 to the ≥ 60y group. Cognition was measured using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status for Hearing impaired individuals (RBANS-H); subjective benefit was measured using the Nijmegen Cochlear Implant Questionnaire (NCIQ); the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI); the Hearing Implant Sound Quality Index (HISQUI19); Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ12); and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Results Prior to surgery: the RBANS-H total score positively correlated with the domains “Advanced sound”, “Self-esteem”, and “Social functioning” of NCIQ, and negatively with HADS scores. 12 months post-implantation: the RBANS-H total score increased in the < 60y (p = 0.038) and in the ≥ 60y group (p < 0.001); speech perception and subjective outcomes also improved; RBANS-H total score positively correlated with “Self-esteem” domain in NCIQ. Age and the RBANS-H total score correlated negatively in the ≥ 60y group (p = 0.026). Conclusions After implantation, both age groups demonstrated improved cognition, speech perception and quality of life. Their depression scores decreased. Age was inversely associated with cognition.

Neuropsychological Functions and Audiological Findings in Elderly Cochlear Implant Users: The Role of Attention in Postoperative Performance

“…In 2017, the Lancet Commission of Dementia Prevention, Intervention, and Care reported a new model of dementia risk [ 1 , 2 ] stating that hearing impairment may account for 8% of dementia cases [ 3 ]. Indeed, hearing loss (HL) is considered the biggest controllable risk factor for dementia, potentially reducing its risk by 9% [ 1 ].…”

“…However, in the last seven years, several studies have investigated this topic, e.g., refs. [ 3 , 14 , 16 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ]. These studies found controversial results: some of them indicated postoperative cognitive improvement, e.g., ref.…”

“…These studies found controversial results: some of them indicated postoperative cognitive improvement, e.g., ref. [ 3 ], while some others did not observe any significant performance improvements, e.g., ref. [ 22 ].…”

“…Thus, the present study aimed to investigate some specific cognitive domains in elderly CI users and to try to disentangle the effects of these cognitive skills on speech perception. Considering HL as a significant risk factor for cognitive decline [ 5 , 6 , 11 ], a better understanding of audiological aspects in the elderly CI population could enable early/special intervention of cognitive functions, providing a potential benefit for postoperative cognitive and audiological outcomes [ 3 , 48 ].…”

Genetic, molecular and biochemical basis of the auditory aging: lessons from experimental models

“…Situaciones excepcionales como la pandemia de COVID-19 han venido a entorpecer aún más la comunicación para las personas con pérdida auditiva debido a que las mascarillas impiden la lectura de labios, como han denunciado en España FIAPAS (Confederación Española de Familias Una solución eficaz para tratar la presbiacusia y reducir la fragilidad cognitiva es el uso de audífonos, que aumentan la intensidad de los sonidos que recibimos, o de implantes cocleares, que estimulan directamente a las terminaciones nerviosas en el oído interno. Las personas que utilizan estos dispositivos reducen considerablemente la pérdida de memoria auditiva, mejoran la interacción social y, en definitiva, disminuyen el deterioro cognitivo asociado a la edad (Calvino et al, 2022;Maharani et al, 2018).…”