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Updated: Feb 19, 2026
Performing Intracochlear Electrocochleography During Cochlear Implantation
Published on: March 8, 2022
Sudden onset of static equilibrium dysfunction in patients receiving a cochlear implant
Ying Gao1, Qing Zhang, Jing Yan
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Ear Institute, Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University College of Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Ear Institute, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University College of Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province Department of Otolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hebei Province, P.R. China.
Cochlear implantation (CI) in patients with congenital hearing loss can affect static equilibrium, especially when eyes are closed, within a week after surgery.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Neurology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Congenital hearing loss patients undergoing cochlear implantation (CI) may experience sudden equilibrium dysfunction.
- Investigating the impact of CI on static balance is crucial for understanding post-operative outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of cochlear implantation on static equilibrium function in patients with congenital hearing loss.
- To compare post-operative balance changes in CI recipients with control groups.
Main Methods:
- Static posturography was performed on 25 unilateral CI recipients before and after surgery.
- Control groups included patients with no hearing impairment and those with otitis media undergoing surgery.
- Postural sway parameters (sway velocity, locus length, environmental area) were measured with eyes open and closed.
Main Results:
- CI recipients showed significant post-operative increases in sway velocity and locus length, particularly with eyes closed.
- No significant balance changes were observed in the otitis media group.
- The control group exhibited minimal balance changes, mainly in sway velocity and locus length with eyes open.
Conclusions:
- Cochlear implantation appears to negatively influence static equilibrium function within one week post-surgery.
- The observed balance impairment is more pronounced when visual input is removed (eyes closed).
