Cochlear implantation in older adults: current routine and needs – a multi-centre scoping survey
BACKGROUND: Research on the hearing implant journey in older adults is scarce. AIMS/OBJECTIVES: To conduct a multicenter scoping survey on the clinical routine in the treatment of hearing loss, specifically cochlear implantation, in older adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey comprising 39 questions on the treatment of hearing loss in older adults was sent to 20 cochlear implant clinics worldwide. RESULTS: Most respondents referred to older adults in the context of cochlear implantation as adults aged 60 years or older with postlingual, mostly progressive hearing loss with different aetiologies. Preoperative assessment in older adults should go beyond standard audiometric tests, including cognitive screening and involving a multidisciplinary team. Significant others and social support play a key role in the rehabilitation process in older adult CI recipients and users. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: A guideline for the management of cochlear implantation in older adults is needed.
Authors
- Javiér Gavilán (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9357-5932)
- Robert Mlynski (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6404-6364)
- Miryam Calvino (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3301-2185)
- Rudolf Hagen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4735-700X)
- Marco Caversaccio (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7090-8087)
- Domenico Cuda (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2437-2872)
- Mohan Kameswaran (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4429-4146)
- S. B. Sugarova (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0856-8680)
- Griet Mertens (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8621-0292)
- Vedat Topsakal (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0416-4005)
- Sasidharan Pulibalathingal
- Hinrich Staecker (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0348-3015)
- Paul Van de Heyning (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8424-3717)
- Vincent Van Rompaey (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0912-7780)
- Luis Lassaletta (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8260-4523)
- Mario Zernotti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4288-2809)
- Uwe Baumann (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1295-2661)
- Stefan Dazert (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6240-1390)
- Dayse Távora‐Vieira (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6249-7268)
- Shin‐ichi Usami (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5068-6122)
- Christiane Völter (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3189-791X)
- Kristen Rak (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2109-3536)
- Chris Raine (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0839-0878)
- Tashneem Harris (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0837-9815)
- Timo Stöver (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2877-000X)
- Lorne Parnes
- Ranjith Rajeswaran
- Aanand Acharya
- David Strachan
Institutions
- Goethe University Frankfurt (DE)
- Health Canada (CA)
- Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc (BE)
- Shinshu University (JP)
- Bradford Royal Infirmary (GB)
- Hospital Universitario La Paz (ES)
- Fiona Stanley Hospital (AU)
- University Hospital of Bern (CH)
- Groote Schuur Hospital (ZA)
- Max Super Speciality Hospital (IN)
- Fremantle Hospital (AU)
- St. Elisabeth Hospital (CW)
- Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (IN)
- Antwerp University Hospital (BE)
- Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale Piacenza (IT)
- St. Elisabeth-Hospital Bochum (DE)
- Aesthetic Surgery Center (US)
- University of Kansas Medical Center (US)
- University Hospital Frankfurt (DE)
- Saint-Petersburg Research Institute of Ear, Throat, Nose and Speech (RU)
- Ōtani University (JP)
- Fundacion Allende (AR)
- University of Rostock (DE)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Acta Oto-Laryngologica
- Published
- 2026-09-04
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1080/00016489.2026.2725513
- Primary Topic
- Hearing Loss and Rehabilitation
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- MED-EL Medical Electronics