Retrospective analysis of preservation of residual hearing after cochlea implant surgery with regard to the etiology of hearing loss

Purpose To assess the outcome regarding hearing preservation after cochlea implant surgery and the influence of the underlying etiology of hearing loss.

Method We analysed data of 155 Cochlea-Implant (CI)-patients (95♀, 60♂, 63.2+-15.5 years; 166 ears ) implanted between 2010 and 2022. All patients were implanted with lateral wall electrodes and had remaining functional hearing before the implantation. We collected data of the pre-operative and post-operative pure tone audiograms and calculated the PTA_low (125/250/500/1000 Hz). The reason for hearing loss and post-operative complications were documented. The data had been evaluated and categorized according to the HEARRING-method .

Results Residual hearing could be preserved completely in 55 (33%), partially in 74 (45%), and minimally in 25 (15%) ears. A total loss of hearing occurred in 12 ears (7%). In a subgroup of patients with Menière’s disease (13 ears), hearing could be preserved completely in 2 (15%), partially in 4 (31%), and minimally in 6 (46%) ears. A total loss of hearing in this group occurred in 1 ear (8%). In a subgroup of patients with sudden hearing loss (42 ears), hearing could be preserved completely in 12 (29%), partially in 19 (45%), and minimally in 9 (21%) ears. A total loss of hearing in this group occurred in 2 ears (5 %).

Conclusion  In 7% of the investigated patients a total hearing loss of the low frequencies occurred after CI-surgery. This value can be used when counselling CI-candidates regarding the risk of hearing loss after CI-surgery. Compared to the overall results the rate of complete or partial hearing preservation in patients with Menière’s disease was lower.

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Artikel online veröffentlicht:
12. Mai 2023