Otosclerosis and Cochlear Implantation

Abstract

Far advanced otosclerosis (FAO) may be the reason for severe sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) or deafness. As in any other cases of severe SNHL, cochlear implantation (CI) is the method of choice to rehabilitate this hearing disorder. In majority of the cases, surgical procedure for cochlear implantation in patients with deafness due to otosclerosis does not differ from the standard cases. Special attention must be paid for the cases with obliterated scala tympani. Different surgical procedures with short or split electrode are used according to the imaging and intraoperative finding. Facial nerve stimulation by cochlear implants may occur with stimulation. Perimodiolar electrode is recommended to reduce the risk of facial nerve stimulation. Functional outcome of cochlear implantation in patients with far advanced otosclerosis, especially results in speech perception and communication skills justify this indication.