Towards a Personalized Vestibular Assessment in Older Patients with Cochlear Implant

Background: Age-related vestibular decline frequently accompanies presbycusis, and older adults undergoing cochlear implantation (CI) may be particularly vulnerable to postoperative dizziness due to a reduced compensatory capacity and a higher burden of comorbidities. Although CI is an effective treatment for severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss in the elderly, its impact on vestibular function remains a critical concern. This study aimed to compare pre and postoperative vestibular performance in older patients (≥65 years) versus younger adults undergoing CI in order to identify the risk factors for postoperative vestibular deterioration and critical issues that characterize this category and carry out personalized preoperative counseling. Methods: In this monocentric observational study, adults undergoing CI were divided into two groups: older patients (OPS, ≥65 years) and younger patients (YPS,