Dr. Cameron Wick Discusses Geriatric Cochlear Implants in the New York Times
December 16, 2025
Innovations in Ear, Nose & Throat |Fall 2025
Cameron Wick, MDCameron Wick, MD, was recently quoted in the New York Times discussing geriatric cochlear implants.
“The hair cells, specialized sensory cells within the cochlea, are not necessarily built for longevity,” says Dr. Wick, an otologist/neurotologist at University Hospitals Ear, Nose & Throat Institute. “Aging adults are the fastest-growing population in the U.S., and hearing loss in this demographic is vastly undertreated.”
National Leadership
Much of Dr. Wick's research focuses on geriatric cochlear implants. He published a secondary analysis in JAMA Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, examining outcomes after cochlear implantation in hearing aid users aged 65 and older.
Dr. Wick also serves as an Executive Council Member of the American Society of Geriatric Otolaryngology and previously chaired the Geriatric Otolaryngology Committee for the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. He will soon appear on an upcoming episode of the Back Table ENT podcast.
Providing Cochlear Implants to Older Adults
Moderate to severe hearing loss negatively affects physical, social and emotional well-being and has been associated with accelerated rates of cognitive decline. Poor binaural hearing can also limit the ability to understand conversations, leading to social isolation and reduced quality of life.
Current projections suggest that by 2050, approximately 23 percent of the U.S. population will be aged 65 or older. “As life expectancy increases, we are seeing more people with age-related hearing loss,” Dr. Wick says. “We want to promote awareness that if patients are no longer experiencing adequate benefit from their hearing aids, cochlear implants can often restore sound clarity and improve quality of life.”
Dr. Wick recommends referring patients to a center with extensive experience in cochlear implants. “Health systems that perform a high volume of implants can conduct additional testing and help patients make the best decision,” he says. “At University Hospitals, we collaborate with our anesthesia colleagues to complete a general health assessment and assess patients’ ability to undergo a 90-minute outpatient surgery.”
About a third of cochlear implant patients are 80 or older. “There is no upper age limit for the device,” Dr. Wick says. “We still see some hesitation among ENT, audiology and primary care providers that individuals may be too old, and we are actively working to eliminate that barrier.”
Link Between Hearing Loss and Cognitive Decline
In 2017, an article in The Lancet identified hearing loss as one of the most modifiable risk factors for preventing cognitive decline. When people experience moderate to severe hearing loss, the brain works harder to keep up with conversations.
“We want to restore the patient’s ability to hear clearly so that the brain is available for higher-level executive function,” Dr. Wick says. “Hearing rehabilitation helps individuals of all ages socialize with friends and family and keep their minds sharp, which improves both cognition and quality of life.”
Advancing Cochlear Implants at University Hospitals
University Hospitals offers a Center of Excellence for cochlear implants that serves people throughout Northeast Ohio and beyond.
“We have a robust practice with efficient care pathways for our patients, including telehealth visits,” Dr. Wick says. “We also partner with private practice audiologists through our cochlear provider network, so we are always happy to offer cochlear implant evaluations that make it easy for our patients.”
Today’s cochlear implants are becoming smaller, and insertion techniques are more delicate. “A concern has been that people lose residual hearing, but we are now able to preserve some low-frequency hearing for about two-thirds of patients,” Dr. Wick says. “In addition to less damage to the cochlea and better overall outcomes, connectivity is improving.”
Bluetooth accessories are enhancing signal-to-noise ratios, and microphones can stream directly to the implant.
University Hospitals has also been at the forefront of clinical trials for drug-eluting cochlear implants and continues to follow patients to gather additional data. “We were recently one of the primary sites for implants coated with a slow-release steroid,” Dr. Wick says. “There is reason to believe the steroid will help create a healthier inner ear environment with less scarring or fibrosis that can negatively impact hearing, so we are excited about this advancement.”
For more information, you can reach Dr. Wick at Cameron.Wick@UHhospitals.org.
Contributing Expert:
Otologist/Neurotologist
University Hospitals Ear, Nose & Throat Institute
University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center
Associate Professor
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine