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Published on: January 9, 2019
Effects of Asymmetric Auditory Deprivation in Sequential Cochlear Implant
Eduardo S Farinazzo1, Rubens V de Brito Neto2, Elisabete H Yamaguti1
1Cochlear Implant Section and Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies, University of São Paulo, Bauru, Brazil.
Summary
Shorter auditory deprivation periods and shorter intervals between cochlear implants lead to better outcomes. Bilateral cochlear implants improve hearing performance, even when one ear has experienced prolonged auditory deprivation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Audiology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Auditory deprivation significantly impacts speech perception after cochlear implantation.
- Sequential bilateral cochlear implantation (CI) aims to restore binaural hearing in postlingually deafened adults.
- Understanding the influence of prior auditory experience and device parameters is crucial for optimizing CI outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of auditory deprivation duration on sequential bilateral cochlear implant (CI) performance.
- To compare auditory outcomes between the ear with shorter auditory deprivation (ESAD) and the ear with longer auditory deprivation (ELAD).
- To assess the benefits of bilateral CI (BIL) stimulation in postlingual patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of postlingually deafened patients who received sequential bilateral CIs between 1990 and 2021.
- Auditory performance (PTA, SDT, sentence recognition) assessed over 24 months post-activation for each implant.
- Analysis included interimplant interval, hearing aid use, and electrode insertion depth.
Main Results:
- ESAD showed significantly better outcomes than ELAD in both quiet and noise conditions at 24 months.
- BIL performance surpassed monaural conditions, irrespective of ESAD experience.
- Shorter interimplant intervals and complete electrode insertion in the more deprived ear correlated with better BIL outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Shorter auditory deprivation and interimplant intervals are key factors for successful sequential bilateral CI outcomes.
- Bilateral stimulation offers significant advantages, even with substantial deprivation in one ear.
- Prolonged, ineffective hearing aid use may negatively affect CI outcomes.