Cochlear implantation in a profoundly deaf patient who also suffers from multiple sclerosis--a case study

Outcomes of cochlear implantation in individuals with known central nervous system conditions are varied. Long-standing deafness is also thought to correlate negatively with auditory performance in post-linguistically deaf adult implant users. We present a case study of cochlear implantation in a post-lingual adult having bilateral profound hearing loss for over 30 years in addition to multiple sclerosis unrelated to his deafness. Assessment of benefit in terms of speech-perception ability and quality of life reveal that long-term auditory deprivation and co-incidental multiple sclerosis are not a contraindication for cochlear implantation.