Lee YH, Ho PH, Chen PY, Chen XX, Sun YC, Chu CH, Lin HC. Long-term auditory performance and psychosocial benefits of cochlear implantation in Mandarin-speaking older adults.
Am J Otolaryngol 2023;
44:103876. [PMID:
37084611 DOI:
10.1016/j.amjoto.2023.103876]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE
Although previous studies have shown the efficacy of cochlear implants (CIs) in older adults, no study written in English has focused on Mandarin-speaking older recipients. Mandarin is a tonal language, it is hard to lip-read and tone recognition for CI users. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term post-CI outcomes in Mandarin-speaking older adults and the difference between them and younger recipients.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Forty-six post-lingually deafened adults were included. Speech perception tests (vowel, consonant, disyllable words, Mandarin monosyllable recognition test, and categories of audiology performance were evaluated) and psychosocial scale were evaluated.
RESULTS
There were no significant differences between older and younger recipients in post-CI open-set speech perception. However, older recipients had significantly lower social and total scores in the subjective questionnaire than younger recipients. In both duration of deafness less than seven years and hearing years in life over 92.6 %, older recipients had no less capable speech perception than in younger.
CONCLUSION
Mandarin-speaking older recipients can improve not only speech perception but also psychosocial benefits. Well hearing experience may confer an advantage to older recipients, despite their older implanted age. These results can help provide pre-CI consultation guidelines for older Mandarin-speaking recipients.
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