Cochlear Implants Potentially Enhances Hearing and Quality of Life of People with Moderate to Severe Hearing Loss, Study Suggests

Dec, 2020 - By WMR

According to a new set of recommendations released by group of an international hearing specialists (otolaryngologists and audiologists) has suggested that cochlear implants should be increasingly adopted by adults dealing with moderate to severe or worse hearing loss. The specialists have recommended that cochlear implants potentially improves hearing and quality of life.

Hearing specialists also suggested that contrasting to hearing aids that only augment sound for people who retain some ability to hear, whereas cochlear implants aids people to hear directly by stimulating the auditory nerve. It is quite evident that loss of hearing is associated with social isolation, dementia, and depression, however hearing specialists suggested based on strong evidence that improved hearing results in significant impact on quality of life.

The consensus statement was developed by a panel of 31 hearing experts representing over 12 countries and was led by Craig A. Buchman, MD, the Lindburg Professor and head of the Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at Washington University School of Medicine.

Craig A. Buchman stated, “Even though cochlear implants have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration since 1985, less than 10% of adults who could benefit from them actually receive one of these devices. There may be a misconception that cochlear implants are only for young children born with profound hearing loss. But these devices can be extremely effective for adults who have lost hearing later in life. Adults who have difficulty talking on the phone, for example, are probably candidates for a cochlear implant.”

Buchman also suggested that Cochlear implants is a safe and highly effective procedure which can be implanted in an outpatient procedure and can be completed within an hour.