The influence of single-sided deafness on the auditory capacity of the better-hearing ear

Introduction:

The aim of this study was to examine for the first time the influence of single-sided deafness (SSD) on the auditory capacity of the better-hearing ear. Furthermore, we evaluated the influence of cochlear implantation (CI) on the contralateral ear, etiology and time of deafness regarding the auditory capacity of the better-hearing ear.

Methods:

264 SSD patients underwent CI-preinvestigation between 2009 and 2017. Regarding their pure tone average (PTA4) medians, the better-hearing ear was ≤30 dB at first clinical presentation, the poorer ear at ≥60 dB. As normal hearing (NH) reference group, we included the PTA4 determined by the International Organization of Standardization. 113 SSD patients underwent CI and 151 remained without CI. Patients were observed over a period of up to 9 years.

Results:

SSD patients showed a significantly worse auditory capacity on the better-hearing ear compared to the NH-data. SSD-CI patients had significantly better PTA4-medians on the contralateral ear after CI, compared to SSD patients without CI. The mean time of deafness was 102 months and significantly influenced the hearing capacity of the better-hearing ear. Congenital deafness resulted in poorer, acute hearing loss and otosclerosis in significantly better PTA4 medians compared to SSD patients with other etiology.

Conclusion:

SSD patients exhibit a significantly worse auditory capacity of the better-hearing ear, compared to the NH-group. SSD-CI patients exhibit a significantly better hearing ability of the better-hearing ear, compared to SSD patients without CI. The etiology and the time of deafness have significant influence on the auditory capacity of the better- hearing ear. The longer the time of deafness, the worse the auditory capacity of the better-hearing ear.

Publication History

Publication Date:
23 April 2019 (online)