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Long-Term Improvement in Localization for Cochlear Implant Users with Single-Sided Deafness.
Nicholas J Thompson1, Margaret T Dillon1,2, Emily Buss1
1Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
The Laryngoscope
|February 17, 2022
Summary
Cochlear implant (CI) use in adults with single-sided deafness and normal hearing in the contralateral ear maintains sound localization benefits long-term. Further improvements in accuracy and consistency were observed between 1 and 5 years of CI use.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Sound source localization is crucial for auditory perception.
- Cochlear implants (CIs) can restore hearing in individuals with hearing loss.
- Previous studies show initial improvements in sound localization with CIs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term maintenance of sound source localization in adult cochlear implant (CI) recipients with normal hearing (NH) in the contralateral ear.
- To assess if initial improvements persist after 5 years of CI use.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, repeated measures study design was employed.
- Twenty adult CI+NH participants were assessed annually for 5 years post-activation.
- Sound source localization was measured using root-mean-squared (RMS) error.
Main Results:
- Long-term CI use maintained superior post-activation sound localization compared to preoperative abilities.
- Significant improvements in sound source localization were observed between 1 and 5 years post-activation.
- A subgroup analysis revealed enhanced accuracy and consistency in localization responses at 5 years.
Conclusions:
- Adults with CI+NH experience sustained and even enhanced sound source localization with long-term device use.
- Significant improvements in localization accuracy and consistency occur between 1 and 5 years of CI use.
- Cochlear implantation offers lasting benefits for spatial hearing in this population.
