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Updated: May 27, 2026
Neuro-rehabilitation Approach for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Published on: January 25, 2016
Cochlear implant in patients with sudden unilateral sensorineural hearing loss and associated tinnitus
Ángel Ramos1, Rubén Polo, Elisabeth Masgoret
1Servicio de Otorrinolaringología, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario Insular Materno-Infantil, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, España.
Introduction And Objectives:
To assess the efficacy of cochlear implantation in patients with unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss and associated disabling tinnitus.
Methods:
Ten patients suffering from severe-to-profound sudden hearing loss and tinnitus in the affected ear received implants. The sample was comprised of 4 men and 6 women, with a mean age of 42.7 years (range 34-62) at implantation. The severity of the tinnitus was evaluated with the Spanish validated version of the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and a visual analogue scale. These assessments were obtained before and after implantation.
Results:
Tinnitus suppression was observed in 2 patients. In 7 cases, we observed an improvement in the THI, in different degrees, and 1 patient remained without changes. Tinnitus worsening was not found in the series studied.
Conclusions:
Tinnitus reduction following cochlear implantation can be explained by several mechanisms, such as habituation, acoustic masking, direct stimulation of the cochlear nerve and reorganisation of cortical areas. Even though further research is required, cochlear implantation is an effective method for the treatment of disabling tinnitus in patients with severe-to-profound unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss.