TY - JOUR
T1 - Evaluating the Impact of Cochlear Implantation on Cognitive Function in Older Adults
AU - Gurgel, Richard K.
AU - Duff, Kevin
AU - Foster, Norman L.
AU - Urano, Kaitlynn A.
AU - deTorres, Alvin
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.
PY - 2022/4
Y1 - 2022/4
N2 - Objectives/Hypothesis: We hypothesize that treating hearing loss through cochlear implantation in older adults will improve cognitive function. Study Design: Prospective, interventional study. Methods: Thirty-seven participants aged 65 years and older who met criteria for cochlear implantation were enrolled. Subjects underwent preoperative cognitive testing with a novel arrangement of standard neuropsychological tests, including tests of general cognition and mood (Mini-Mental Status Exam [MMSE]), tests of verbally based stimuli and responses (Digit Span, Stroop, Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised [HVLT-R], Hayling Sentence Completion), and comparable visually based tests (Spatial Span, d2 Test of Attention, Brief Visuospatial Memory Test [BVMT], Trails A and B). Testing was repeated 12 months postoperatively. Results: One year postoperatively, subjects showed a statistically significant improvement in hearing and on the following tests of cognitive function: concentration performance of the d2 Test of Attention, Hayling Sentence Completion Test, HVLT-R (total and delayed recall), Spatial Span (backward), and Stroop Color Word Test. A subgroup analysis was performed comparing 13 participants with preoperative cognitive impairment (MMSE ≤ 24) to 24 participants with normal cognition (MMSE ≥ 25). In this subgroup analysis, a greater magnitude of improvement was seen in those with impaired cognition, with statistically significant improvement in Digit Span (scaled score), Stroop Word (T-score), Stroop Color-Word (residual and T-score), HVLT-R, and Hayling (overall). All verbally based test scores improved, and 75% of the visually based test scores improved. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the cognitive benefits of cochlear implantation in older adults 1 year after surgery. For older adults with cognitive impairment prior to cochlear implantation, the cognitive benefits were even greater than in subjects with normal cognition. Level of Evidence: 3, nonrandomized controlled cohort Laryngoscope, 132:S1–S15, 2022.
AB - Objectives/Hypothesis: We hypothesize that treating hearing loss through cochlear implantation in older adults will improve cognitive function. Study Design: Prospective, interventional study. Methods: Thirty-seven participants aged 65 years and older who met criteria for cochlear implantation were enrolled. Subjects underwent preoperative cognitive testing with a novel arrangement of standard neuropsychological tests, including tests of general cognition and mood (Mini-Mental Status Exam [MMSE]), tests of verbally based stimuli and responses (Digit Span, Stroop, Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised [HVLT-R], Hayling Sentence Completion), and comparable visually based tests (Spatial Span, d2 Test of Attention, Brief Visuospatial Memory Test [BVMT], Trails A and B). Testing was repeated 12 months postoperatively. Results: One year postoperatively, subjects showed a statistically significant improvement in hearing and on the following tests of cognitive function: concentration performance of the d2 Test of Attention, Hayling Sentence Completion Test, HVLT-R (total and delayed recall), Spatial Span (backward), and Stroop Color Word Test. A subgroup analysis was performed comparing 13 participants with preoperative cognitive impairment (MMSE ≤ 24) to 24 participants with normal cognition (MMSE ≥ 25). In this subgroup analysis, a greater magnitude of improvement was seen in those with impaired cognition, with statistically significant improvement in Digit Span (scaled score), Stroop Word (T-score), Stroop Color-Word (residual and T-score), HVLT-R, and Hayling (overall). All verbally based test scores improved, and 75% of the visually based test scores improved. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the cognitive benefits of cochlear implantation in older adults 1 year after surgery. For older adults with cognitive impairment prior to cochlear implantation, the cognitive benefits were even greater than in subjects with normal cognition. Level of Evidence: 3, nonrandomized controlled cohort Laryngoscope, 132:S1–S15, 2022.
KW - Cochlear implantation
KW - age-related hearing loss
KW - cognition
KW - dementia
KW - hearing loss
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U2 - 10.1002/lary.29933
DO - 10.1002/lary.29933
M3 - Article
C2 - 34738240
AN - SCOPUS:85118512002
SN - 0023-852X
VL - 132
SP - S1-S15
JO - Laryngoscope
JF - Laryngoscope
IS - S7
ER -