[Acoustic variation after surgery for severe Bell's palsy]

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Neurosurgery
• Audiology

Context:

• Facial nerve decompression surgery is performed to alleviate conditions affecting the facial nerve.
• Transmastoidal and transmastoidal and suprapetrosal approaches are common surgical routes.
• Understanding the impact of these procedures on auditory function is crucial.

Purpose:

• To investigate the effects of surgical decompression of the facial nerve on auditory thresholds.
• To analyze hearing changes in patients undergoing specific surgical approaches.
• To identify the characteristics and potential causes of post-operative auditory threshold shifts.

Summary:

• Auditory thresholds were assessed pre- and post-surgery in 35 patients undergoing facial nerve decompression.
• A mild, acute, bone conduction-type hearing loss was observed in the operated ear, maximal at 4000 Hz.
• Hearing levels improved progressively, with a mean loss of 5 dB (range 0-35 dB), and did not affect the contralateral ear.

Impact:

• Highlights a potential, transient auditory complication following facial nerve decompression surgery.
• Provides data on the nature and extent of hearing loss, aiding in patient counseling.
• Informs surgical technique and post-operative management to mitigate auditory effects.