Application of Vibratometry in Evaluation of Frequency Detection and Signal Intensity in Patients with Unilateral Cochlear Implants - Preliminary Results

Abstract

Vibratometry is a unique audiological test used in patients with bilateral profound sensori-neural hearing loss. An acoustic stimulus is presented using the bone conduction. The study comprised 15 patients with bilateral profound hearing loss with unilaterally implanted cochlear implant. Vibration detection thresholds were noted. Measurements were done at the implanted side with speech processor either switched on or switched o , as well as at the contralateral side with speech processor switched on. All the patients have perceived stimulus used for testing. The average detection thresholds of vibration stimulus and average thresholds in bone conduction using tonal stimulus have shown better perception of vibration delivered by bone conduction than tonal stimulus. The average detection threshold of vibration stimulus in the implanted ear showed signi cantly better results in case of speech processor switched on. Patients perceived high frequency stimuli during vibratometry testing despite of no reaction to tonal stimulation during bone conduction test. Vibration could be a supplementary stimulation in patients with bilateral perceptive profound hearing loss.