Atypical failure after cochlear implantation in children

We report a case of intermittent dysfunction in a 10-years-old boy, implanted with MedEL(®) cochlear implant. Few weeks after the surgery the boy described short and intermittent episodes of implant dysfunction with rapid return to a normal function. No evidence for any electric or neural dysfunction was found. After few weeks, a clinical link was discovered to episodes of sneeze or nose blowing. Clinical and surgical implications are discussed.