Cochlear Implantation for Single-Sided Deafness: Observations in Poor Performers

Objectives Patients with single-sided deafness can nowadays receive a cochlear implant. A majority of these patients are well adapted and benefit from the implant. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reasons for poor performance in a group of patients with single-sided deafness, who received a cochlear implant. Design A total of 65 patients were enrolled into a retrospective case series. Seven poor performers were present in the group. Freiburger monosyllabics, localization testing, and radiologic images were evaluated. Results Localization testing showed the absence of lateralization ability in three patients, whereas the Freiburger monosyllabic word scores improved in three patients. One patient had no speech perception after 1 year of rehabilitation. Findings of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed cerebral involvement in five patients. Conclusion Various factors influence the outcome in unilateral cochlear implantation in patients with single-sided deafness. These reasons may be preoperative, operative, or postoperative. Nevertheless, the majority of patients benefit from these implants.