Is the cochlear implant a successful long-term solution for single-sided deaf and asymmetric hearing-impaired patients?

Iva Speck,Frederike Hassepass,Till Fabian Jakob,Thomas Wesarg,Susan Arndt,Pascal Challier,Antje Aschendorff

doi:10.1007/s00405-020-06411-y

Iva Speck, Frederike Hassepass + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-020-06411-y

Copy DOI

Abstract

PurposeWe investigated the long-term results of cochlear implant (CI) recipients with asymmetric hearing loss (AHL) or single-sided deafness (SSD). We focused on wearing behavior, audiometric hearing rehabilitation, and subjective benefits of the CI. CI is expected to improve audiological results, subjective hearing perception, and tinnitus burden.MethodsSpeech recognition in background noise and sound localization were assessed preoperatively and after at least six years of CI experience. Validated questionnaires determined the subjective benefit of CI use and the subjective evaluation of tinnitus.ResultsOver 80% of the included AHL and SSD CI recipients used their CI between 6 and 10 h daily; four subjects with SSD were non-users. Speech recognition in background noise and sound localization improved significantly compared with the unaided preoperative situation. Additionally, CI improved subjective speech intelligibility and spatial hearing impression while reducing tinnitus burden.ConclusionSubjects with AHL and SSD benefit from CI, subjectively and audiologically. Cochlear implant is a successful long-term treatment for AHL and SSD.

Highlights

The extreme asymmetry of hearing impairs individuals with single-sided deafness (SSD) and asymmetric hearing loss (AHL) in their speech recognition in noise and the localization of sound sources [1,2,3,4,5]
To date, only long-term study on SSD cochlear implant (CI) recipients, Távora-Vieira and colleagues compared the conditions of CI turned on and CI turned off at the time of long-term measurement [14]
We identified 78 CI recipient with SSD or AHL and CI experience of between six and eleven years: 41 with SSD and 37 with AHL

Summary

Introduction

The extreme asymmetry of hearing impairs individuals with single-sided deafness (SSD) and asymmetric hearing loss (AHL) in their speech recognition in noise and the localization of sound sources [1,2,3,4,5]. Many AHL and SSD patients experience disturbing tinnitus [2, 9,10,11]. Cochlear implants (CIs) improve speech recognition in noise and the localization of sound sources in patients with SSD [12,13,14,15]. To date, only long-term study on SSD CI recipients, Távora-Vieira and colleagues compared the conditions of CI turned on and CI turned off at the time of long-term measurement (follow-up of 4–10 years) [14] CIs reduce the cognitive load and improves the anxiety states and hearing-related quality of life of such patients [1, 2, 10, 11, 16].

Objectives

Results

Conclusion