The Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status for Hearing Impaired Individuals (RBANS-H) before and after Cochlear Implantation: A Protocol for a Prospective, Longitudinal Cohort Study.

Annes J. Claes,Griet Mertens,Anouk Hofkens-Van den Brandt,Erik Fransen,Vincent Van Rompaey,Paul Van de Heyning,Annick Gilles

doi:10.3389/fnins.2016.00512

Abstract

Background: Currently, an independent relationship between hearing loss and cognitive decline in older adults is suggested by large prospective studies. In general, cochlear implants improve hearing and the quality of life in severely to profoundly hearing impaired older persons. However, little is known about the effects of cochlear implantation on the cognitive evolution in this population.Aim of the study: The primary goal of this prospective, longitudinal cohort study is to explore the cognitive profile of severely to profoundly postlingually hearing impaired subjects before and after cochlear implantation. In addition, the current study aims to investigate the relationship between the cognitive function, audiometric performances, quality of life, and self-reliance in these patients.Methods: Twenty-five patients aged 55 or older, scheduled for cochlear implantation, will be enrolled in the study. They will be examined prior to implantation, at 6 and 12 months after implantation and annually thereafter. The test battery consists of (1) a cognitive examination, using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status adapted for Hearing impaired persons (RBANS-H), (2) an audiological examination, including unaided and aided pure tone audiometry, speech audiometry in quiet and speech audiometry in noise, (3) the administration of four questionnaires evaluating quality of life and subjective hearing benefit and (4) a semi-structured interview about the self-reliance of the participant.Discussion: Up until now only one study has been conducted on this topic, focusing on the short-term effects of cochlear implantation on cognition in older adults. The present study is the first study to apply a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment adapted for severely to profoundly hearing impaired subjects in order to investigate the cognitive capabilities before and after cochlear implantation.Trial registration: The present protocol is retrospectively registered at Clinical Trials (ClinicalTrials.gov) on June 9th, 2016. The first participant was enrolled on June 22nd, 2015. The protocol identifier is NCT02794350.

Highlights

An independent relationship between hearing loss and cognitive decline in older adults is suggested by large prospective studies
Subjects are invited to participate in the study if they meet the following inclusion criteria: (1) The subject meets the Belgian national criteria for reimbursement of a cochlear implant, (2) the subject suffers from a postlingual hearing impairment, (3) the subject is scheduled for a first cochlear implantation and (4) the subject is aged 55 or older
The case is multidisciplinary evaluated, all contra-indications for cochlear implantation are to be taken into account and the expectations of the person toward the rehabilitation process and the outcomes are thoroughly discussed by the clinician to remain realistic

Summary

Introduction

An independent relationship between hearing loss and cognitive decline in older adults is suggested by large prospective studies. Large prospective studies have found an independent relationship between hearing loss on the one hand and age-related cognitive decline and incident dementia on the other hand (Lin et al, 2011, 2013; Gallacher et al, 2012; Gurgel et al, 2014). The basis of this association remains unclear.

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