Cochlear implants may lead to “clinically meaningful” improvements in cognition in over-55s with severe hearing loss who are at risk of mild cognitive impairment, a study shows. 

Belgian researchers say their findings add to existing evidence and also suggest the neuroprosthesis is not contraindicated in candidates who may already show signs of cognitive decline.

The single-centre longitudinal study analysed outcomes among 21 adults (mean age 72) at one month before cochlear implant activation and after 12 months of using the device between 2015 and 2021.

Cognitive function was measured by the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neurophysical Studies for hearing-impaired patients (RBANS-H) score, based on 12 subtests for immediate memory, attention, language, visuospatial/constructional and delayed memory.