Search

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the application of newer generation cochlear implants on facial nerve stimulation. This was a retrospective case review in a tertiary referral centre. We report two patients implanted with a Nucleus 22 cochlear implant (Cochlear Corp.) experiencing facial nerve stimulation and in one case Jacobson nerve stimulation is reported in one case. New generation cochlear implants with modiolus hugging electrodes (Nucleus 24 Contour and Corp.) were implanted in these patients - in one case, on the implanted side (revision surgery), and in the contralateral side in the other case. In both cases the application of a newer generation modiolus hugging cochlear implant did not induce abnormal facial nerve or Jacobson's nerve stimulation. In addition, all the implant electrodes were activated and the patients showed good speech perception. Patients with otosclerosis have a high risk of facial nerve and Jacobson's nerve stimulation. The application of a new generation cochlear implant in the implanted ear or in the contralateral ear represents a viable option in order to reduce the risk of extra-auditory stimulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objects: This study aimed to evaluate the Executive Function (EF) domains in a group of profoundly deaf children treated with cochlear implant (CI) in comparison to normal hearing (NH) children. The secondary aim was to evaluate the influence exerted by the age at cochlear implant activation on EFs., Materials and Methods: 32 children were enrolled into two groups: group A of 17 CI users with a mean age of 8.78 years and group B of 15 NH subjects with a mean age of 7.99 years (SD + 2.3). All subjects were tested using the following tests: the subtests for working memory of the neuropsychological evaluation battery for the developmental age (Batteria di valutazione neuropsicologica per l'età evolutive), inhibition and control of the impulsive response-CAF, and the tower of London test., Results: No children with CIs scored within the normal range in the tests administered for the evaluation of EF domains. The same scores were significantly lower when compared with scores obtained by NH children. Children with younger age at CI activation showed better executive performances in planning, working memory (backward digit span), and cognitive flexibility (categorical fluency)., Conclusion: The results of this study highlight that cochlear implantation plays a role in improving hearing and consequently influences the development of EFs in deaf children.

Objective: The aim of this study is to examine cognitive skills, adaptive behavior, social and emotional skills in deaf children with cochlear implant (CI) compared to normal hearing children., Methods: The study included twenty children affected by profound hearing loss implanted with a CI compared to 20 healthy children matched to chronological age and gender., Results: Results of this study indicated that 55% of children with CI showed a score in the normal range of nonverbal intelligence (IQ > 84), 40% in the borderline range (71 < IQ < 84) and 5% were in mild range(50 < IQ < 70). No significant differences were found after comparison with normal hearing children.Children with CI reported more abnormalities in emotional symptoms (p = .018) and peer problems(p = .037) than children with normal hearing. Age of CI was negatively correlated with IQ (p = .002),positively correlated with emotional symptoms (p = .04) and with peer problems (p = .02)., Conclusions: CI has a positive effect on the lives of deaf children, especially if it is implanted in much earlier ages.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the results obtained in a group of implanted otosclerotic patients with a group of cochlear implant (CI) patients not affected by otosclerosis., Study Design: Retrospective case review., Setting: Tertiary referral center., Patients: Nine patients affected by profound sensorineural hearing loss caused by otosclerosis and nine patients affected by profound sensorineural hearing loss not caused by otosclerosis were evaluated., Intervention: Cochlear implantation., Main Outcome Measures: Preoperative imaging, intraoperative findings, postoperative facial nerve stimulation, and speech perception performance measures were performed and the data analyzed., Results: Otosclerosis patients showed signs of cochlear ossification both on high-resolution computed tomography scans and intraoperatively. The incidence of facial nerve stimulation was higher in the otosclerosis group, three out of nine, and was generally related to the use of electrical stimulation from the Nucleus 22 cochlear implant. Psychophysical and speech perception measures did not show significant differences between the two groups, despite some otosclerosis patients showing increased electrical thresholds and comfort levels and slightly poorer speech perception performance scores., Conclusions: Patients with otosclerosis who have progressed to profound hearing loss derive significant benefit from cochlear implants; however, an increased risk of cochlear ossification and facial nerve stimulation has to be taken in account during preoperative counseling. The advance in imaging techniques, CI technology and the possibility to stimulate precise regions of the cochlea with lower intensities make it possible for the surgeons and audiologists to readily and successfully manage these complications as they arise.

The concept that autoimmunity may damage the inner ear was introduced by McCabe in 1979. Audiovestibular symptoms may occur in isolation or may be mediated by vasculitis in patients affected by systemic autoimmune disorders. Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is typical in Cogan's syndrome but occurs less frequently in Beçhet's syndrome and in systemic necrotizing vasculitides. Patients affected by immune-mediated profound SNHL represent ideal candidates for cochlear implantation as these patients become deaf after years of hearing. The disease itself and the medication taken may, however, influence the prognosis of cochlear implantation in these patients. We retrospectively evaluated the pre- and intraoperative findings as well as the postoperative course and performance of a group of five patients affected by a systemic vasculitis syndrome who received a cochlear implant. Implantation was successful in all patients, no complications occurred and excellent postoperative speech perception was achieved. We conclude that cochlear implantation in patients affected by immune-mediated inner ear disorders is effective although the long-term results remain to be evaluated.