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Published on: February 29, 2020
Cochlear implantation in a child with posttraumatic single-sided deafness
Stefan K Plontke1, Cornelia Heider, Sabrina Koesling
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hearing and Implant Center Halle, University of Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str 40, Halle, Saale 06120, Germany. stefan.plontke@uk-halle.de
Summary
Cochlear implantation successfully treated an 8-year-old boy with single-sided deafness, improving speech and sound localization. This case suggests cochlear implants may benefit children with profound unilateral hearing loss.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Neuroscience
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Cochlear implantation is standard for bilateral profound hearing loss in children.
- Indications for cochlear implantation have expanded, including profound single-sided deafness in adults.
- Pediatric use for single-sided deafness is limited despite known impacts on social-emotional development.
Observation:
- A case report details an 8-year-old boy with acute single-sided deafness from a skull-base fracture.
- MRI indicated imminent inner ear fibrosis, posing a risk for future cochlear implantation.
- The boy had normal hearing in the contralateral ear.
Findings:
- Successful cochlear implantation was performed.
- The child demonstrated rapid speech discrimination improvement in the implanted ear.
- Enhanced sound localization, speech perception in noise, and high patient satisfaction were observed.
Implications:
- This case supports cochlear implantation for pediatric single-sided deafness.
- It may encourage wider use of this therapy in children with chronic profound unilateral hearing loss.
- Further research into pediatric single-sided deafness interventions is warranted.