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Cochlear implantation for single-sided deafness and tinnitus suppression
Jourdan T Holder1, Brendan O'Connell1, Andrea Hedley-Williams1
1Department of Hearing and Speech Science, Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Room 9302 Medical Center East, South Tower, 1215 21st Ave. South, Nashville, TN 37232-8242, United States.
American Journal of Otolaryngology
|January 31, 2017
Summary
Cochlear implantation significantly reduces tinnitus in patients with single-sided deafness. Many patients experience total tinnitus suppression and improved speech recognition after implantation.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Neuroscience
- Audiology
Background:
- Single-sided deafness (SSD) often co-occurs with bothersome tinnitus.
- Cochlear implantation (CI) is a primary treatment for SSD, but its effect on tinnitus is of significant interest.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of cochlear implantation in suppressing tinnitus among patients with single-sided deafness.
- To quantify changes in tinnitus severity using the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and assess speech recognition improvements.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 12 patients with unilateral tinnitus undergoing cochlear implantation for SSD.
- The Tinnitus Handicap Inventory was administered preoperatively and at multiple follow-up points post-implantation.
- Speech recognition scores (CNC word recognition) and patient demographics were retrospectively collected.
Main Results:
- Significant reduction in Tinnitus Handicap Inventory scores was observed at 3 months (p=0.004) and beyond 6 months (p=0.008) post-implantation.
- 45% of patients reported complete tinnitus suppression.
- Mean CNC word recognition scores significantly improved from 2.9% preoperatively to 40.8% at 6 months (p=0.008).
Conclusions:
- Cochlear implantation is an effective treatment for reducing tinnitus in the majority of patients with single-sided deafness.
- The findings align with previous research, supporting CI as a viable option for managing tinnitus in this population.
- Improvements in both tinnitus severity and speech perception highlight the multifaceted benefits of cochlear implantation for SSD patients.
