Session Overview: Cochlear implants have been commercially available since 1982, however globally only one in 20 people who could benefit from cochlear implant technology receive it. Australia leads the world in providing for these with nearly 10% of the severe to profound hearing-impaired population receiving implants. It is known that one out of every three people over the age of 65 is affected by disabling hearing loss. It affects communication and can contribute to social isolation, anxiety, depression and cognitive decline. In 2017, the lancet commission presented a new life-course model where hearing loss is identified as the single largest modifiable risk factor for dementia. As the body of evidence grows, the role of Audiologists in providing the right intervention at the right time for our elderly population is becoming more recognised and valued. International consensus supports cochlear implantation as the standard of care for adult candidates, regardless of age and duration of deafness. This session aims to provide insights and evidence on cochlear implants as an effective and viable intervention for the elderly It aims to demystify cochlear implants as a suitable hearing intervention for the ageing population and discuss factors influencing outcomes. The session will be led by experts in the field of cochlear implantation and cognition and hearing research.

 

Presenter(s): Dr Dona Jayakody, Dr Jaime Leigh and Dr Holly Teagle