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The contralateral ear in acoustic tumors and hearing conservation
The Laryngoscope
|November 1, 1981
Summary
Hearing preservation during acoustic tumor surgery is challenging, with many attempts failing to provide functional binaural hearing. Careful patient selection and rehabilitation strategies are crucial for managing hearing loss after surgery.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Audiology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Hearing conservation in acoustic tumor surgery is a complex goal.
- Preserving functional hearing is often unsuccessful, with conserved hearing frequently lacking binaural utility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the factors influencing hearing preservation in acoustic tumor surgery.
- To discuss patient selection, technical considerations, and rehabilitative options for hearing impairment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of technical considerations, morbidity, mortality, and probability factors.
- Analysis of amplification requirements in 45 acoustic tumor patients 5+ years post-surgery.
Main Results:
- Three-quarters of patients had normal contralateral hearing; 24% required CROS amplification.
- 67% of the remaining patients used BiCROS aids for mild to moderate losses; no monaural aids were effective.
- 20% experienced additional hearing loss in the non-tumor ear post-surgery.
Conclusions:
- A comprehensive presurgical evaluation is essential for assessing hearing conservation potential.
- Rehabilitation for unilateral hearing impairment often requires advanced amplification like CROS or BiCROS aids.
- Ongoing monitoring for hearing loss in the non-tumor ear is recommended.