Photobiomodulation as a Potential Adjuvant Therapy to Improve Cochlear Implant Efficiency

Photobiomodulation (PBM) is a noninvasive therapeutic modality with widespread applications for modulating various biological processes. Although the exact mechanisms of action remain uncertain, PBM promotes homeostasis through diverse pathways, including reducing inflammation and enhancing tissue recovery. Hearing loss is irreversible in mammals due to the limited regenerative capacity of cochlear hair cells. Cochlear implants offer a solution by electrically stimulating the auditory nerve, bypassing damaged hair cells in individuals with severe hearing loss. However, postoperative inflammatory responses and cochlear nerve fiber damage can compromise implant efficacy. We investigated current strategies to minimize secondary cochlear damage after cochlear implantation and evaluated the potential of PBM as an adjuvant therapeutic approach. The auditory cell protective effects of PBM could significantly enhance the performance of EAS devices in individuals with residual hearing. Further, postoperative CI is accompanied by an inflammatory response characterized by the upregulation of specific cytokines. Considering the neuroregenerative potential of PBM, its application as a neuroprotective strategy warrants further validation.