Evaluation of the rehabilitation potential of cochlear implantation on cognitive function in elderly people

Abstract

Introduction. In the world there is an increase in the proportion of elder people in the demographic group of society. The problems of treatment and diagnosis of diseases associated with age due to this are considered more significant in clinical practice. Among of the most common age-related diseases: cognitive impairment, hearing loss and depression. Researchers have found that hearing loss is the most significant modifiable risk factor for cognitive impairment. Also, hearing impairment, according to several experts, is the cause of depression. Cochlear implantation is one of the main methods of rehabilitation in case of profound impairment of auditory function in elder people.Aim. Evaluate the rehabilitation potential of cochlear implantation on cognitive function in elder people.Materials and methods. A prospective study, were selected 35 patients (15 men, 20 women), candidates for cochlear implantation. Average age at the start of the study was 65 ± 9 years. Cognitive function was assessed using the RBANS-H, HI-MoCA, sound quality assessment using the HISQUI19, depression and anxiety level assessment using the HADS. Studies were conducted before surgery, 6 and 12 months after the activation of the cochlear implant.Results. There was an increase in cognitive function, assessed by the RBANS and HI-MoCA. In addition, the patients showed a decrease in the levels of depression and anxiety, assessed by the HADS test.Conclusions. Cochlear implantation, as a method of rehabilitation of deep hearing impairment in elder people, has shown high efficiency on cognitive function, and decrease of depression and anxiety in the postoperative period.