Cochlear implantation performance outcomes in patients over 80 years old

OBJECTIVE: To examine device datalogging characteristics and postoperative performance in the very elderly CI users. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of postoperative speech recognition outcomes and datalogging characteristics in patients older than 80 years old who underwent cochlear implantation and remain active users with longer than 6 months post‐activation follow‐up. RESULTS(S): The mean age at implantation was 84.8 ± 3.8 years old. Pre‐ and post‐operative AzBio sentences in quiet scores were 12.4 ± 16.4% and 53.0 ± 23.5%, respectively (p < .001). Pre‐ and post‐operative consonant‐nucleus‐consonant (CNC) word scores were 9.4 ± 12.8% and 40.5 ± 20.7%, respectively (p < .001). A nonsignificant negative correlation was noted between the age of implantation and postoperative CNC words and AzBio sentence performance. Significantly decreased performance was noted in the subpopulation with a preoperative diagnosis of dementia. Mean daily use was 10.9 h per day. When available the mean daily usage distribution was 16% speech in noise, 19.1% speech, 51% quiet, 3.8% music, and 9.6% noise. A significant positive correlation was noted between daily use and AzBio sentence and CNC word performance. CONCLUSIONS: Very elderly patients have significant postoperative auditory performance benefits after CI. Mean daily use is comparable to previously published results in the younger population. Age of implantation does not play a significant role in overall performance. Elderly patients who are medically cleared for implantation receive significant postoperative benefits.