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July 27, 2009
Hearing implants an option for seniors
Cochlear implants are electronic devices that can actually help kids born deaf to hear. But now they can also turn on sound for seniors with age-related hearing loss. "I was able to hear birds singing for the first time in many, many years and that was a very dramatic thing," says Roger Kane.
Roger is a 73-year-old retired pediatrician who opted for a cochlear implant after his hearing aids lost their zing. There are many seniors like him, but doctors often hesitate to refer them for the implants because of the surgery. "There's this perception that the elderly are too frail, they can't undergo anesthesia, because they'll have complications where there's a heart attack or they'll die," says Dr. Anil Lalwani.
But a recent study from the New York University School of Medicine found that most elderly patients handle anesthesia just fine. 'Pre-existing' health problems are a bigger concern, but the findings suggest fewer of today's elderly have them. "They're actually in good shape. And many of them have their health conditions well-controlled and they're living longer. They're more active, more energetic," says Dr. Jung Kim.
It pays to stay in shape because, unlike hearing aids that make sound louder, cochlear implants make it clearer, more understandable by directly stimulating the hearing nerve. It bypasses the ear canal, the ear drum, the three hearing bones and most importantly bypasses the hair cells.Hearing aids rely on those hair cells. Problem is, in age-related hearing loss, most are damaged.
For Roger, a cochlear implant has been a 'sound' investment. And there's more good news. The device and the surgical procedure are covered by medicare. But researchers emphasize, if you are interested in an implant, you need to talk to both your primary care doctor and an anesthesiologist about your risks.
http://www.wkowtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=10768476
Posted by 4HL on July 27, 2009 7:36 PM
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