Cochlear implant: factors that impact hearing outcomes

Abstract

Background: Cochlear implant has been providing hearing rehabilitation to patients with severe hearing loss. However, not all patients achieve optimal results, and the goal of this study was to evaluate the factors that influence hearing outcomes in cochlear implantation. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of the patients who underwent cochlear implantation in our institution between 2018 and 2021. Review of clinical files and complementary tests, and analysis of hearing outcomes and complications were performed. Results: Sixty-nine cochlear implants were placed in 64 patients, with an average age of 49.3 years. In initial evaluation post activation and 1 year after implantation, the average pure tone average (PTA) was 37 dB, with a vocal discrimination of 48.7% at 50 dB, and 28, 6 dB, with a discrimination of 73.8% at 50 dB, respectively. Patients with postlingual deafness had better hearing outcomes at 1 year post surgery, in both PTA (27.9 compared to 33 dB) and discrimination at 50 dB (76.5 compared to 56.1%). Only one case had a major complication. Conclusions: In conclusion, we found that increased implant use by the patient, postlingual deafness, and in-creased surgeon experience, were factors that improved hearing outcomes in patients undergoing cochlear implantation.