13 Mar Cochlear Implants May Improve Cognition in Elderly Patients
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Isabelle Mosnier, MD, Praticien Hospitalier ORL
Otologie, Implants Auditifs et Chirurgie de la Base du Crâne
Centre Référent Implant Cochléaire Adulte d’Ile de France
Centre Maladies Rares Surdité Génétique de l’adulte
et Neurofibromatose de type 2
Groupe Hospitalier de la PITIE-SALPETRIERE
Paris
MedicalResearch: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Dr. Mosnier: Association between hearing impairment and cognitive decline has been established; however, the impact on cognition through cochlear implantation in profoundly deaf elderly patients is not known. The focus was to determine the impact of hearing rehabilitation including cochlear implant on cognitive functions, in addition to the influence of cognitive factors on cochlear implant outcomes over time.
MedicalResearch: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?
Dr. Mosnier: Rehabilitation of hearing communication via cochlear implantation in elderly patients was observed to result in improvements in speech perception, cognitive abilities and positively influenced their social activity and quality of life. Further research is needed to assess the relationship between hearing loss and cognition decrease, as well as the long-term impact of cochlear implantation upon cognitive decline. The study demonstrates the importance of hearing rehabilitation in elderly patients, that could delay dementia as well as its progression. Cochlear implantation is the safe procedure, without limitation of age, which must be proposed as early as patients obtain poor benefit with their hearing aids.
Citation:
Mosnier I, Bebear J, Marx M, et al. Improvement of Cognitive Function After Cochlear Implantation in Elderly Patients. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. Published online March 12, 2015. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2015.129.
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MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Isabelle Mosnier, MD (2015). Cochlear Implants May Improve Cognition in Elderly Patients
Last Updated on March 13, 2015 by Marie Benz MD FAAD