Search

Purpose: To evaluate if a specific type of cochlear implant (CI) electrode array (EA) reveals higher rates/prevalence of vestibular symptoms and to characterize their respective relationship to intracochlear position and objective vestibular function. Methods: This retrospective study included 71 cochlear implantations in patients older than 18 years. The electrode position within the cochlea, electrode insertion angle, and cochlear coverage were determined from postoperative multiplanar reconstructed cone-beam computed tomography scans. All device manufacturers were represented. Data related to preoperative and postoperative PTA as well as vestibular symptoms in the preoperative and postoperative stages were collected from the patient's records. Results: Twelve of the 71 (16.9%) CI patients experienced vertigo symptoms in the early postoperative period. In 5 (7.0%) patients, the vertigo complaints lasted until the time of the first activation (5-6 weeks postoperative). Postoperative onset of vestibular symptoms was more often seen in patients receiving lateral wall (LW)/straight EAs (19%) compared to perimodiolar/precurved EAs (7%), but this was only a trend and no statistical significance was observed. Moreover, preoperative pathologic caloric responses (CRs) better predicted the postoperative onset of vestibular symptoms. Conclusion: The preoperative consideration of a complicated CI-induced vertigo is important in the counseling particularly of elderly patients. We identified some risk factors for post-CI vertigo that should be considered in the patient's counseling: preoperative pathologic CRs, the extent of surgical trauma, and possibly the use of an LW EA, regardless of the length. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The Cochlear™ Osia® System (Osia) is an active transcutaneous bone conduction implant system intended for patients with conductive and mixed hearing loss but can also be used in cases of single-sided deafness (SSD) for the contralateral routing of signal (CROS). The Osia implant is placed subcutaneously under the intact skin behind the ear with the piezoelectric actuator connected to an osseointegrated BI300 implant – a titanium screw used for a 2-stage Baha surgery – on the mastoid. The external processor is magnetically attached to the subcutaneous implant receiver coil. As the Osia has recently been CE certified and is new on the market, with limited patient outcome data for SSD available, the objective of this study was the evaluation of surgical procedure, audiological results, and patient satisfaction for the Osia in SSD patients. Study Design: In a prospective, monocentric clinical observation study, 6 patients (18 years of age or older) with SSD and bone conduction thresholds pure tone average 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz ≤25 dB HL on the contralateral side were implanted with an Osia. Analysis of clinical outcome data with respect to surgical technique, adverse events, audiological measurement, and subjective benefit for SSD patients was conducted. Audiological measurements performed included hearing thresholds, sound field thresholds, word recognition scores (WRS; in %) in quiet, and speech recognition thresholds in noise (in dB SNR). All tests were performed unaided and aided with the Osia. The subjective benefit with the Osia was determined by using 2 questionnaires; the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) and the Bern Benefit in Single-Sided Deafness (BBSSD). Results: Preliminary results indicate a straightforward surgical procedure with a low rate of complications and an improvement in speech perception in quiet, listening performance in everyday situations and patient satisfaction. However, in one of 6 subjects, a revision surgery had to be performed. Conclusion: Provided that SSD patients are open for CROS hearing, they can benefit from the Osia by reduced head shadow effects and better speech recognition. Special caution should be given to the skin at the site of implantation to avoid complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate if a specific type of cochlear implant (CI) electrode array (EA) reveals higher rates/prevalence of vestibular symptoms and to characterize their respective relationship to intracochlear position and objective vestibular function., Methods: This retrospective study included 71 cochlear implantations in patients older than 18 years. The electrode position within the cochlea, electrode insertion angle, and cochlear coverage were determined from postoperative multiplanar reconstructed cone-beam computed tomography scans. All device manufacturers were represented. Data related to preoperative and postoperative PTA as well as vestibular symptoms in the preoperative and postoperative stages were collected from the patient's records., Results: Twelve of the 71 (16.9%) CI patients experienced vertigo symptoms in the early postoperative period. In 5 (7.0%) patients, the vertigo complaints lasted until the time of the first activation (5-6 weeks postoperative). Postoperative onset of vestibular symptoms was more often seen in patients receiving lateral wall (LW)/straight EAs (19%) compared to perimodiolar/precurved EAs (7%), but this was only a trend and no statistical significance was observed. Moreover, preoperative pathologic caloric responses (CRs) better predicted the postoperative onset of vestibular symptoms., Conclusion: The preoperative consideration of a complicated CI-induced vertigo is important in the counseling particularly of elderly patients. We identified some risk factors for post-CI vertigo that should be considered in the patient's counseling: preoperative pathologic CRs, the extent of surgical trauma, and possibly the use of an LW EA, regardless of the length., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.