The benefit of cochlear implantation in the Japanese elderly

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the benefit of cochlear implant for Japanese elderly people with profound hearing loss. A questionnaire was administered to the five Japanese elderly people over 65 years old with the Nucleus 22 channel device and their family. The questionnaire was designed...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inAuris, nasus, larynx Vol. 26; no. 2; pp. 131 - 137
Main Authors Kunimoto, Masaru, Yamanaka, Noboru, Kimura, Takaaki, Yoda, Junichi, Yokoyama, Michiaki, Togawa, Akihisa, Oka, Miyoko
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Netherlands Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01.04.1999
Subjects
Aged
Cochlear implant
Cochlear Implantation - psychology
Deafness - psychology
Deafness - rehabilitation
Elderly
Female
Humans
Japan
Japanese
Male
Patient Acceptance of Health Care
Presbycusis - psychology
Presbycusis - rehabilitation
Quality of Life
Speech Discrimination Tests
Japan
Cochlear implant
Elderly
Japanese
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Summary:The purpose of this study was to evaluate the benefit of cochlear implant for Japanese elderly people with profound hearing loss. A questionnaire was administered to the five Japanese elderly people over 65 years old with the Nucleus 22 channel device and their family. The questionnaire was designed to gain insight into the patient's daily use and to evaluate the quality of life. Elderly patients who were implanted with the Nucleus device showed good ability to identify environmental sound and revealed no significant deterioration compared to younger patients. Implanted patients showed some difficulties in understanding speech in the noisy environment and conversation among several persons. Nevertheless, 80% of patients over 65 and their family reported communication benefits in the family and in social activities. In addition, 80% of the patients reported that they felt the better or improved quality of life after the implantation. All patients considered the implant was good for their life and would recommend a cochlear implant to a deaf friend. It is notable that 60% of patients and their family report that the recipients have become more cheerful. This study showed the cochlear implant contributes to the better quality of life in the Japanese elderly.
ISSN:0385-8146
1879-1476
DOI:10.1016/S0385-8146(98)00066-2