Cochlear Implantation in Adults 65 Years and Older With Single-sided Deafness and Asymmetric Hearing Loss

Cochlear implantation has proven success as a treatment for single sided deafness (SSD) and asymmetric hearing loss (AHL) in children and adults. However, in adults 65 years and older, cochlear implantation for the treatment of SSD and AHL has been difficulty to study given the restrictions in insurance coverage for cochlear implants (CI) due to current Medicare guidelines....

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If this study demonstrates meaningful hearing benefit in adults ≥65 with single-sided deafness or asymmetric hearing loss, audiologists should consider actively counseling this age group about cochlear implant candidacy rather than assuming they are poor candidates based on age alone.

As cochlear implant candidacy criteria expand and the population ages, understanding outcomes in older adults with single-sided deafness or asymmetric hearing loss is critical to ensuring equitable access and appropriate clinical recommendations.

1. 01Study focused on cochlear implantation outcomes in adults 65+ with single-sided deafness or asymmetric hearing loss (AHL).
2. 02Single-sided deafness and AHL are relatively newer indications for cochlear implants compared to bilateral profound loss.
3. 03Published in Otology & Neurotology Open.
4. 04Results could inform whether age should be considered a barrier to implantation for this sub-indication.
5. 05Older adults are underrepresented in cochlear implant research despite being the largest group with significant hearing loss.

PMID

42788154

DOI

10.1097/ONO.0000000000000094.

Journal

Otology & Neurotology Open

Publication type

research_article

Evidence level

4

Population

Adults aged 65 and older with single-sided deafness or asymmetric sensorineural hearing loss

Intervention

Cochlear implantation