Diving or flying with cochlear implant? Investigations in a hypo / hyperbaric pressure chamber

Introduction Little is known about the influence of pressure exposure on the middle ear of patients with cochlear implant (CI) and the function of implants in changing pressure in vivo. In vitro implants are said to be pressure tolerant according to manufacturers. Under standardized pressure exposure in a hypo / hyperbaric pressure chamber corresponding to a flight and a dive, possible complications should be investigated.

Methods In a hyperbaric / hyperbaric pressure chamber, 11 CI patients (18 implanted ears) were exposed to a standardized pressure profile of compression and decompression. The middle ear findings of the patients and the function of the cochlear implant were examined before and after the pressure exposure. In addition, the patients received a questionnaire about subjective abnormalities.

Results The implants had been implanted on average 3.6 years ago. Thirty-six percent of patients reported of equalization problems at least once prior to implantation. 64% of the patients felt slight pressure on the ear in the pressure chamber; one patient had to stop the examination due to otalgia. Hearing had not changed subjectively in any of the patients. Partial reddening of the eardrum after pressure exposure was detectable in 50% of the patients (TEED 1). The impedances of the cochlear implant showed no significant changes after pressure exposure.

Conclusion Hypo as well as hyperbaric pressure exposure does not seem to cause a change in the eardrum beyond the normal level in CI patients. No serious complication was observed in any of the patients. In addition, there was no significant change in CI impedances between measurement before and after pressure exposure.

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Publication History

Article published online:
10 June 2020