The advance medical care outcomes for cochlear implantation in single-sided deafness

The present study aimed to show the results of the advance medical care for cochlear implantation (CI) in cases of single-sided deafness.

A prospective, non-randomized, historically controlled clinical trial was conducted at a single institution from July 2021 to July 2023. Participants were patients diagnosed with unilateral, severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss and with average hearing levels over 70 dB on the poor side and under 40 dB on the better side. CI surgeries were performed through the round window approach under general anesthesia. Preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after device activation, speech discrimination score was measured using the 67-S monosyllabic list under noise conditions, and sound localization ability was also assessed. Assessments of tinnitus disturbance and hearing handicap were performed using a questionnaire.

Speech discrimination score using the Japanese monosyllabic list improved significantly from preoperatively to 12 months postoperatively, and significant improvement of sound localization ability was also observed 12 months postoperatively. Tinnitus disturbance and hearing handicap according to the questionnaire were also significantly improved. All adverse events believed to be related to this treatment are well-known occurrences in CI surgery, and the risks associated with the treatment are not considered to outweigh the benefits.

The advance medical care with CI for single-sided deafness demonstrated a significant and favorable improvement using a Japanese monosyllabic list, indicating the effectiveness of the CI intervention for patients with single-sided deafness. Considering that the benefits of treatment outweigh the risks, this treatment was deemed effective for patients with single-sided deafness.