What to do with the other ear after cochlear implantation

Unilateral cochlear implantation has become a widely accepted surgical intervention for both deaf children and adults. It is a reliable and effective method to rehabilitate profound deafness. Recently the benefits of the use of a contralateral hearing aid (bimodal stimulation) with a cochlear implant became clear. Bilateral cochlear implantation benefits bilateral input into the auditory system for adults and children. To provide the binaural advantages experienced by normal hearing subjects bilateral cochlear implantation or bimodal stimulation is probably indicated. Whether to choose between both possibilities depends on many factors. Cortical auditory evoked potential (CAEP) measurements can be an important tool to decide bilateral implantation in young children. Enough residual hearing in the non-implanted ear might benefit from bimodal stimulation. New protocols are needed for the audiological management for recipients of cochlear implants.