Intensive Training of Spatial Hearing Promotes Auditory Abilities of Bilateral Cochlear Implant Adults: A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a virtual reality-based spatial hearing training protocol in bilateral cochlear implant (CI) users and to provide pilot data on the impact of this training on different qualities of hearing. DESIGN: Twelve bilateral CI adults aged between 19 and 69 followed an intensive 10-week rehabilitation program comprised eight virtual reality training sessions (two per week) interspersed with several evaluation sessions (2 weeks before training started, after four and eight training sessions, and 1 month after the end of training). During each 45-minute training session, participants localized a sound source whose position varied in azimuth and/or in elevation. At the start of each trial, CI users received no information about sound location, but after each response, feedback was given to enable error correction. Participants were divided into two groups: a multisensory feedback group (audiovisual spatial cue) and an unisensory group (visual spatial cue) who only received feedback in a wholly intact sensory modality. Training benefits were measured at each evaluation point using three tests: 3D sound localization in virtual reality, the French Matrix test, and the Speech, Spatial and other Qualities of Hearing questionnaire. RESULTS: The training was well accepted and all participants attended the whole rehabilitation program. Four training sessions spread across 2 weeks were insufficient to induce significant performance changes, whereas performance on all three tests improved after eight training sessions. Front-back confusions decreased from 32% to 14.1% ( p = 0.017); speech recognition threshold score from 1.5 dB to -0.7 dB signal-to-noise ratio ( p = 0.029) and eight CI users successfully achieved a negative signal-to-noise ratio. One month after the end of structured training, these performance improvements were still present, and quality of life was significantly improved for both self-reports of sound localization (from 5.3 to 6.7, p = 0.015) and speech understanding (from 5.2 to 5.9, p = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study shows the feasibility and potential clinical relevance of this type of intervention involving a sensorial immersive environment and could pave the way for more systematic rehabilitation programs after cochlear implantation.

Reaching to Sounds Improves Spatial Hearing in Bilateral Cochlear Implant Users.

OBJECTIVES: We assessed if spatial hearing training improves sound localization in bilateral cochlear implant (BCI) users and whether its benefits can generalize to untrained sound localization tasks. DESIGN: In 20 BCI users, we assessed the effects of two training procedures (spatial versus nonspatial control training) on two different tasks performed before and after training (head-pointing to sound and audiovisual attention orienting). In the spatial training, participants identified sound position by reaching toward the sound sources with their hand. In the nonspatial training, comparable reaching movements served to identify sound amplitude modulations. A crossover randomized design allowed comparison of training procedures within the same participants. Spontaneous head movements while listening to the sounds were allowed and tracked to correlate them with localization performance. RESULTS: During spatial training, BCI users reduced their sound localization errors in azimuth and adapted their spontaneous head movements as a function of sound eccentricity. These effects generalized to the head-pointing sound localization task, as revealed by greater reduction of sound localization error in azimuth and more accurate first head-orienting response, as compared to the control nonspatial training. BCI users benefited from auditory spatial cues for orienting visual attention, but the spatial training did not enhance this multisensory attention ability. CONCLUSIONS: Sound localization in BCI users improves with spatial reaching-to-sound training, with benefits to a nontrained sound localization task. These findings pave the way to novel rehabilitation procedures in clinical contexts.

A new tool for the assessment of speech understanding and spatial hearing difficulties in children: the Kid-SSQ questionnaire.

PURPOSE: To develop and validate a new questionnaire, the Kid-SSQ, for the rapid screening of hearing abilities in children with hearing impairment, aged 7-17 years. METHODS: The questionnaire was constructed from two existing, validated versions of the 'Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing' - (SSQ) questionnaire (pediatric form and adult short-form). The 12 selected items included auditory aspects from three subscales: speech perception, spatial hearing, and qualities of hearing. This new short form was then validated in 154 children with cochlear implants (100 bilaterally, and 54 unilaterally implanted children). Construct validity was assessed by testing relationships between Kid-SSQ scores and objective clinical parameters (e.g., age at test, pure-tone audiometry-PTA threshold, speech reception threshold-SRT, duration of binaural experience). RESULTS: Completion time was acceptable for use with children (less than 10 min) and the non-response rate was less than 1%. Good internal consistency was obtained (Cronbach's α = 0.78), with a stable internal structure corresponding to the 3 intended subscales. External validity showed the specificity of each subscale: speech subscale scores were significantly predicted (r = 0.32, p < 0.001) by both 2 kHz PTA threshold (ß = 0.33, p < 0.001) and SRT (ß = - 0.23, p < 0.001). Children with more binaural experience showed significantly higher scores on the spatial subscale than children with less binaural experience (F(1,98) = 5.1, p < 0.03) and the qualities of hearing subscale scores significantly depended on both age and SRT (r = 0.32, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The Kid-SSQ questionnaire is a robust and clinically useful questionnaire for self-assessment of difficulties in various auditory domains.

Training spatial hearing in unilateral cochlear implant users through reaching to sounds in virtual reality.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Use of unilateral cochlear implant (UCI) is associated with limited spatial hearing skills. Evidence that training these abilities in UCI user is possible remains limited. In this study, we assessed whether a Spatial training based on hand-reaching to sounds performed in virtual reality improves spatial hearing abilities in UCI users METHODS: Using a crossover randomized clinical trial, we compared the effects of a Spatial training protocol with those of a Non-Spatial control training. We tested 17 UCI users in a head-pointing to sound task and in an audio-visual attention orienting task, before and after each training.
Study is recorded in clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04183348). RESULTS: During the Spatial VR training, sound localization errors in azimuth decreased. Moreover, when comparing head-pointing to sounds before vs. after training, localization errors decreased after the Spatial more than the control training. No training effects emerged in the audio-visual attention orienting task. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that sound localization in UCI users improves during a Spatial training, with benefits that extend also to a non-trained sound localization task (generalization). These findings have potentials for novel rehabilitation procedures in clinical contexts.

Spatial Hearing Difficulties in Reaching Space in Bilateral Cochlear Implant Children Improve With Head Movements.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess three-dimensional (3D) spatial hearing abilities in reaching space of children and adolescents fitted with bilateral cochlear implants (BCI). The study also investigated the impact of spontaneous head movements on sound localization abilities. DESIGN: BCI children (N = 18, aged between 8 and 17) and age-matched normal-hearing (NH) controls (N = 18) took part in the study. Tests were performed using immersive virtual reality equipment that allowed control over visual information and initial eye position, as well as real-time 3D motion tracking of head and hand position with subcentimeter accuracy. The experiment exploited these technical features to achieve trial-by-trial exact positioning in head-centered coordinates of a single loudspeaker used for real, near-field sound delivery, which was reproducible across trials and participants. Using this novel approach, broadband sounds were delivered at different azimuths within the participants' arm length, in front and back space, at two different distances from their heads. Continuous head-monitoring allowed us to compare two listening conditions: "head immobile" (no head movements allowed) and "head moving" (spontaneous head movements allowed). Sound localization performance was assessed by computing the mean 3D error (i.e. the difference in space between the X-Y-Z position of the loudspeaker and the participant's final hand position used to indicate the localization of the sound's source), as well as the percentage of front-back and left-right confusions in azimuth, and the discriminability between two nearby distances. Several clinical factors (i.e. age at test, interimplant interval, and duration of binaural experience) were also correlated with the mean 3D error. Finally, the Speech Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale was administered to BCI participants and their parents. RESULTS: Although BCI participants distinguished well between left and right sound sources, near-field spatial hearing remained challenging, particularly under the " head immobile" condition. Without visual priors of the sound position, response accuracy was lower than that of their NH peers, as evidenced by the mean 3D error (BCI: 55 cm, NH: 24 cm, p = 0.008). The BCI group mainly pointed along the interaural axis, corresponding to the position of their CI microphones. This led to important front-back confusions (44.6%). Distance discrimination also remained challenging for BCI users, mostly due to sound compression applied by their processor. Notably, BCI users benefitted from head movements under the "head moving" condition, with a significant decrease of the 3D error when pointing to front targets (p < 0.001). Interimplant interval was correlated with 3D error (p < 0.001), whereas no correlation with self-assessment of spatial hearing difficulties emerged (p = 0.9). CONCLUSIONS: In reaching space, BCI children and adolescents are able to extract enough auditory cues to discriminate sound side. However, without any visual cues or spontaneous head movements during sound emission, their localization abilities are substantially impaired for front-back and distance discrimination. Exploring the environment with head movements was a valuable strategy for improving sound localization within individuals with different clinical backgrounds. These novel findings could prompt new perspectives to better understand sound localization maturation in BCI children, and more broadly in patients with hearing loss.

Feasibility of day-case pediatric cochlear implantation.

PURPOSE: Pediatric cochlear implantation is performed on an outpatient basis in an inconstant way. The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility of day-case pediatric cochlear implantation by determining the acceptability of outpatient-to-inpatient conversion rate (acceptability threshold of 5%) and to assess the safety by comparing outpatient and inpatient postoperative events. We also want to identify conversion predictive factors. METHODS: We conducted a monocentric retrospective study including 267 cases aged 6 months to 18 years who underwent unilateral cochlear implantation between 2016 and 2020. This population was divided into two groups: outpatient group (190 cases) and inpatient group (77 cases). RESULTS: Among the 190 cases scheduled as day surgery, 9 cases required conversion to conventional hospitalization which leads to an outpatient-to-inpatient conversion rate of 4.7%. Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) were involved in all cases of conversion. Conversion predictive factors were the presence of an inner ear malformation at risk of gusher (OR 32.51, 95% CI [4.98-370.27], p 0.001) and the intraoperative administration of morphine (OR 8.52, 95% CI [1.38-86.84], p 0.035). There was no statistically significant difference in immediate postoperative complications (outpatient 14.2% vs inpatient 16.9% p 0.715), early-stage complications (outpatient 12.6% vs inpatient 10.4% p 0.812) and early-stage unplanned consultations (outpatient 4.7% vs inpatient 3.9% p 0.748) between outpatient and inpatient groups. Unplanned readmissions were found only in the outpatient group. CONCLUSION: Day-case pediatric cochlear implantation is a feasible and safe procedure even in infants. The outpatient-to-inpatient conversion rate of 4.7% is considered acceptable but requires anticipation of human and accommodation needs. No causes of conversion were life-threatening. The risk of postoperative complications and unplanned consultations are not influenced by the mode of hospitalization. Special attention should be paid to the prevention of PONV and the presence of inner ear malformations.

Rhythmic Abilities of Children With Hearing Loss.

OBJECTIVES: Children with hearing loss (HL), in spite of early cochlear implantation, often struggle considerably with language acquisition. Previous research has shown a benefit of rhythmic training on linguistic skills in children with HL, suggesting that improving rhythmic capacities could help attenuating language difficulties. However, little is known about general rhythmic skills of children with HL and how they relate to speech perception. The aim of this study is twofold: (1) to assess the abilities of children with HL in different rhythmic sensorimotor synchronization tasks compared to a normal-hearing control group and (2) to investigate a possible relation between sensorimotor synchronization abilities and speech perception abilities in children with HL. DESIGN: A battery of sensorimotor synchronization tests with stimuli of varying acoustic and temporal complexity was used: a metronome, different musical excerpts, and complex rhythmic patterns. Synchronization abilities were assessed in 32 children (aged from 5 to 10 years) with a severe to profound HL mainly fitted with one or two cochlear implants (n = 28) or with hearing aids (n = 4). Working memory and sentence repetition abilities were also assessed. Performance was compared to an age-matched control group of 24 children with normal hearing. The comparison took into account variability in working memory capacities. For children with HL only, we computed linear regressions on speech, sensorimotor synchronization, and working memory abilities, including device-related variables such as onset of device use, type of device, and duration of use. RESULTS: Compared to the normal-hearing group, children with HL performed poorly in all sensorimotor synchronization tasks, but the effect size was greater for complex as compared to simple stimuli. Group differences in working memory did not explain this result. Linear regression analysis revealed that working memory, synchronization to complex rhythms performances, age, and duration of device use predicted the number of correct syllables produced in a sentence repetition task. CONCLUSION: Despite early cochlear implantation or hearing aid use, hearing impairment affects the quality of temporal processing of acoustic stimuli in congenitally deaf children. This deficit seems to be more severe with stimuli of increasing rhythmic complexity highlighting a difficulty in structuring sounds according to a temporal hierarchy.

Multi-operated cholesteatoma: when two surgeries are not enough.

PURPOSE: Most studies regarding residual and recurrent cholesteatoma focus on single relapse. This study examines patients who had to undergo at least three surgeries for complete eradication of their cholesteatoma, with the aim of bringing to light risk factors and assessing the functional impact of multiple surgeries on hearing. METHOD: We include 27 patients who underwent 3 consecutive surgeries for cholesteatoma between 2006 and 2016. This population represented 3.1% of all cholesteatoma operated on during that same period (868 patients). RESULTS: Cases of multi-residual and/or recurrent cholesteatoma (RRC) were significantly younger (13.1 years old), than single-RRC or cases with No-RRC (respectively, 28.0 and 38.5 years old) (p < 0.01). Furthermore, there was a significant difference in cholesteatoma location especially for combined attical and mesotympanic location between the three groups (no-RCC 26%; single-RRC 34% and multi-RRC 66%) (p < 0.01). There was also a significant difference in ossicular erosion of the malleus, incus and stapes between the three groups (p < 0.01). In our study, the type of surgery did not influence multi-RRC rates. We did not observe any significant impact on hearing between the first and third surgeries. Mean duration between the first and second surgeries was significantly shorter for multi-RRC (14.5 months SD 8.3) than for single-RRC (23.3 months SD 18.1) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Special care should be given in case of combined attical and mesotympanic extension, ossicular erosion and young children. Delaying the realization of MRI, and/or of second-look surgery, could decrease the risk of multi-RRC.

The Oticon Medical Neuro Zti cochlear implant and the Neuro 2 sound processor: multicentric evaluation of outcomes in adults and children.

Objective: This study evaluated the outcomes of the Oticon Medical Neuro Zti cochlear implant and the Neuro 2 sound processor.Design: Neuro One users were upgraded to Neuro 2. Monosyllabic word identification was evaluated in adults with Neuro One after ≥5 months, with Neuro 2 at upgrade, and with Neuro 2 after 3 months. Self-reported listening ability, satisfaction, and usability were measured in adults and children.Study sample: Participants were 44 adults and 26 children.Results: Speech identification scores in quiet and noise were 58% and 45% with Neuro One and 67% and 55% with Neuro 2 after 3 months, respectively. Hearing impairment duration and number of active electrodes significantly predicted speech identification in noise with Neuro 2. Significantly higher questionnaire ratings were obtained for Neuro 2 than Neuro One regarding listening ability in complex listening situations, comfort and music, as well as nine aspects of satisfaction and usability.Conclusion: This study demonstrates the clinical superiority of the Neuro 2 sound processor over Neuro One in terms of speech identification in quiet and in noise and reported patient benefit and satisfaction. Given the study design, sources of improvement may include factors unrelated to the sound processor itself.

Fusobacterium necrophorum, a major provider of sinus thrombosis in acute mastoiditis: A retrospective multicentre paediatric study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate in children the clinical severity and evolution of otogenic lateral sinus thrombosis (OLST) due to Fusobacterium necrophorum compared with other bacterial otogenic thrombosis and propose a specific management flowchart for Fusobacterium OLST. DESIGN: A retrospective multicentre cohort study. SETTINGS: Four French ENT paediatric departments. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 260 under 18 years old admitted for acute mastoiditis were included. Initial imaging was reviewed to focus on complicated mastoiditis and 52 OLST were identified. Children were then divided into two groups according to bacteriological results: 28 in the "OLST Fusobacterium group" and 24 in the "OLST other bacteria group". RESULTS: There was a significant association between F necrophorum and OLST (P < .001). When compared to the OLST other bacteria group, children in the OLST Fusobacterium group were significantly younger (61 months vs 23 months, P < .01) and had a more severe clinical presentation: higher CRP (113 mg/L vs 175.7 mg/L, P = .02) and larger subperiosteal abscess (14 mm vs 21 mm, P < .01). Medical management was also more intensive in the OLST Fusobacterium group than in the OLST other bacteria group: increased number of conservative surgeries (66.7% vs 92.9%, P = .03) and longer hospital stay (13.7 days vs 19.8 days, P = .02). At the end of follow-up, the clinical course was good in both groups without any neurological sequelae. CONCLUSIONS: Thrombotic complications are very frequent in case of Fusobacterium mastoiditis and clinicians should be aware of the initial severity of the clinical presentation. Under appropriate management, the clinical course of Fusobacterium OLST is as good as that of other bacterial otogenic thrombosis.

Rehabilitation of speech disorders following glossectomy, based on ultrasound visual illustration and feedback.

Intraoral surgery for tongue cancer usually induces speech disorders that have a negative impact on communication and quality of life. Studies have documented the benefit of tongue ultrasound imaging as a visual articulatory feedback for speech rehabilitation. This study aims to assess specifically the complementary contribution of visual feedback to visual illustration (i.e. the display of ultrasound video of target language movements) for the speech rehabilitation of glossectomised patients. Two therapy conditions were used alternately for ten glossectomised French patients randomly divided into two cohorts. The IF cohort benefitted from 10 sessions using illustration alone (IL condition) followed by 10 sessions using illustration supplemented by visual feedback (IL+F condition). The FI cohort followed the opposite protocol, i.e. the first 10 sessions with the IL+F condition, followed by 10 sessions with the IL condition. Phonetic accuracy (Percent Consonants Correct) was monitored at baseline (T0, before the first series) and after each series (T1 and T2) using clinical speech-language assessments. None of the contrasts computed between the two conditions, using logistic regression with random effects models, were found to be statistically significant for the group analysis of assessment scores. Results were significant for a few individuals, with balanced advantages in both conditions. In conclusion, the use of articulatory visual feedback does not seem to bring a decisive advantage over the use of visual illustration, though speech therapists and patients reported that ultrasound feedback was useful at the beginning. This result should be confirmed by similar studies involving other types of speech disorders.

Cone beam versus multi-detector computed tomography for detecting hearing loss.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the diagnostic value of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is equivalent or superior to that of multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) for the radiological assessment of conductive hearing loss with intact tympanic membrane in adults. Evaluation of inter- and intraobserver variability and measurement of the radiation dosimetry associated with each technique were secondary objectives. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, single-center study. METHODS: Ten adults were included from April to June 2013. All patients underwent MDCT and CBCT with reconstruction of temporal bones. Two radiologists with ENT experience reviewed the results twice. Diagnostic agreement between MDCT and CBCT and inter- and intraobserver agreement was evaluated with the kappa statistic. Comparisons of dosimetry were evaluated by calculating the ratio of the CT dose index (CTDI) between MDCT and CBCT. RESULTS: Diagnostic agreement between MDCT and CBCT was satisfactory (kappa = 0.69). Inter- and intraobserver agreement was also acceptable, and the average ratio of the CTDI of MDCT and CBCT was 4.01. CONCLUSION: CBCT is a reliable method that uses a low dose of radiation to investigate conductive hearing loss with intact tympanic membrane in adults. Its relevance and potential superiority to MDCT in diagnosing middle ear pathologies such as otosclerosis remain to be demonstrated, but the preliminary data are promising.

Is one of these two techniques: CO2 laser versus microdrill assisted stapedotomy results in better post-operative hearing outcome?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate hearing results and outcome using two different surgical techniques (microdrill and CO2 Laser fenestration) in the treatment of conductive hearing loss in patients with otosclerosis. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective audiometric database and chart review from January 2005 until December 2016. SETTING: Two tertiary referral hospitals MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven-hundred forty-two primary stapedotomy have been reviewed retrospectively in two referral hospitals. This multicenter study compared 424 patients operated for otosclerosis with microdrill technique and 318 patients operated with CO2 laser assisted stapedotomy. Preoperative and postoperative audiological assessment (following the recommendations of the Committee on Hearing and Equilibrium) were compared between the two groups at least 6 weeks and at 1 year or more. Measure of overclosure and hearing damage have been analyzed and compared between the groups. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in demographic data between the two groups and no statistically significant difference in hearing outcome between the two groups. CO2 Laser with 0.4 piston showed slightly better results to close the air-bone gap postoperatively to ≤ 10 dB (84% as compared with the 80% of patients operated with microdrill technique). Patients operated with microdrill technique and 0.6 piston have less damage to hearing at 4 kHz. CONCLUSION: The use of CO2 laser seems associated with better postoperative air-bone gap closure. However, it carries more risk of hearing damage at 4 kHz at it is the case for the microdrill at 1 kHz. In general, postoperative hearing outcome using these two surgical techniques is comparable.

Realisation of voicing by French-speaking CI children after long-term implant use: An acoustic study.

Studies of speech production in French-speaking cochlear-implanted (CI) children are very scarce. Yet, difficulties in speech production have been shown to impact the intelligibility of these children. The goal of this study is to understand the effect of long-term use of cochlear implant on speech production, and more precisely on the coordination of laryngeal-oral gestures in stop production. The participants were all monolingual French children: 13 6;6- to 10;7-year-old CI children and 20 age-matched normally hearing (NH) children. We compared /p/, /t/, /k/, /b/, /d/ and /g/ in word-initial consonant-vowel sequences, produced in isolation in two different tasks, and we studied the effects of CI use, vowel context, task and age factors (i.e. chronological age, age at implantation and duration of implant use). Statistical analyses show a difference in voicing production between groups for voiceless consonants (shorter Voice Onset Times for CI children), with significance reached only for /k/, but no difference for voiced consonants. Our study indicates that in the long run, use of CI seems to have limited effects on the acquisition of oro-laryngeal coordination needed to produce voicing, except for specific difficulties located on velars. In a follow-up study, further acoustic analyses on vowel and fricative production by the same children reveal more difficulties, which suggest that cochlear implantation impacts frequency-based features (second formant of vowels and spectral moments of fricatives) more than durational cues (voicing).

Revision stapes surgery for lysis of the long process of the incus: comparing hydroxyapatite bone cement versus malleovestibulopexy and total ossicular replacement prosthesis.

The objective of the study was to report audiological results in revision stapes surgery, comparing hydroxyapatite (HAP) bone cement, malleovestibular (MV) prosthesis, and total ossicular replacement prosthesis (TORP). The study is a retrospective case review conducted in a tertiary referral center. Patients treated for revision stapes surgery from 2010 to 2014, where a lysis of the long process of the incus (LPI) was observed with the use of HAP bone cement, MV prosthesis, or a TORP were included in the study. The main outcomes measured were pre- and postoperative bone conduction (BC) and air conduction (AC) pure-tone averages (PTA) (0.5, 1, 2, 3 kHz), including high frequencies BC (HFBC) (1, 2, 3, 4 kHz) and air-bone gap (ABG). 107 revision stapes surgery were performed in 96 ears. Main cause of failure was LPI lysis in 38 cases (39.6 %). 31 patients were analyzed: HAP bone cement was used in 11 patients (Group I), MV prosthesis in ten patients (Group II), and TORP in ten patients (Group III). The mean post-operative ABG was 10.7 dB (±7.4) (p = 0.003), 10.7 dB (±8.8) (p = 0.001), and 16.9 dB (±9.8) (p = 0.001), respectively. There were no significant differences between groups. In Group I, the mean change in HFBC revealed an improvement of 5.6 dB (±7.9) (p = 0.03), while in Group III there was a significant deterioration of the thresholds of 5.8 dB (±7.6) (p = 0.04). There were no cases of post-operative anacusis. In revision stapes surgery when LPI is eroded, we recommend to perform a cement ossiculoplasty for stabilizing a standard Teflon piston when LPI is still usable, the LPI lengthening with cement being not recommended. When LPI is too eroded, we prefer performing a malleovestibulopexy, and reserve TORP for cases with a bad anatomical presentation.

A Retrospective Multicenter Study Comparing Speech Perception Outcomes for Bilateral Implantation and Bimodal Rehabilitation.

OBJECTIVES: To compare speech perception outcomes between bilateral implantation (cochlear implants [CIs]) and bimodal rehabilitation (one CI on one side plus one hearing aid [HA] on the other side) and to explore the clinical factors that may cause asymmetric performances in speech intelligibility between the two ears in case of bilateral implantation. DESIGN: Retrospective data from 2247 patients implanted since 2003 in 15 international centers were collected. Intelligibility scores, measured in quiet and in noise, were converted into percentile ranks to remove differences between centers. The influence of the listening mode among three independent groups, one CI alone (n = 1572), bimodal listening (CI/HA, n = 589), and bilateral CIs (CI/CI, n = 86), was compared in an analysis taking into account the influence of other factors such as duration of profound hearing loss, age, etiology, and duration of CI experience. No within-subject comparison (i.e., monitoring outcome modifications in CI/HA subjects becoming CI/CI) was possible from this dataset. Further analyses were conducted on the CI/CI subgroup to investigate a number of factors, such as implantation side, duration of hearing loss, amount of residual hearing, and use of HAs that may explain asymmetric performances of this subgroup. RESULTS: Intelligibility ranked scores in quiet and in noise were significantly greater with both CI/CI and CI/HA than with a CI-alone group, and improvement with CI/CI (+11% and +16% in quiet and in noise, respectively) was significantly better than with CI/HA (+6% and +9% in quiet and in noise, respectively). From the CI/HA group, only subjects with ranked preoperative aided speech scores >60% performed as well as CI/CI participants. Furthermore, CI/CI subjects displayed significantly lower preoperative aided speech scores on average compared with that displayed by CI/HA subjects. Routine clinical data available from the present database did not explain the asymmetrical results of bilateral implantation. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective study, based on basic speech audiometry (no lateralization cues), indicates that, on average, a second CI is likely to provide slightly better postoperative speech outcome than an additional HA for people with very low preoperative performance. These results may be taken into consideration to refine surgical indications for CIs.

Predictive factors of cochlear implant outcomes in the elderly.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze predictive factors of cochlear implant outcomes and postoperative complications in the elderly. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, longitudinal study performed in 10 tertiary referral centers. METHODS: Ninety-four patients aged 65-85 years with a profound, postlingual hearing loss were evaluated before implantation, at time of activation, and 6 and 12 months after cochlear implantation. Speech perception and lipreading were measured using disyllabic word recognition in quiet and noise, and lipreading using disyllabic words and sentences. The influence of preoperative factors on speech perception in quiet and noise at 12 months was tested in a multivariate analysis. Complications, presence of tinnitus and of vestibular symptoms were collected at each evaluation. RESULTS: The effect of age was observed only in difficult noisy conditions at SNR 0 dB. Lipreading ability for words and sentences was negatively correlated with speech perception in quiet and noise. Better speech perception scores were observed in patients with shorter duration of hearing deprivation, persistence of residual hearing for the low frequencies, the use of a hearing aid before implantation, the absence of cardiovascular risk factors, and in those with implantation in the right ear. General and surgical complications were very rare, and the percentage of vestibular symptoms remained stable over time. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that cochlear implantation in the elderly is a well-tolerated procedure and an effective method to improve communication ability. Advanced age has a low effect on cochlear implant outcome. Analyses of predictive factors in this population provide a convincing argument to recommend treatment with cochlear implantation as early as possible in elderly patients with confirmed diagnosis of a severe-to-profound hearing loss and with only limited benefit from hearing aid use in one ear.

The Prognostic Value of Olfactory Dysfunction in Patients with COVID-19: The COVIDORA Study.

BACKGROUND: Among all studies describing COVID-19 clinical features during the first wave of the pandemic, only a few retrospective studies have assessed the correlation between olfac-tory dysfunction (OD) and the evolution of disease severity. The main aim was to assess whether OD is a predictive factor of COVID-19 severity based on the patient's medical management (outpa-tient care, standard hospital admission, and ICU admission). METHODS: A national, prospective, mul-ticenter cohort study was conducted in 20 public hospitals and a public center for COVID-19 screen-ing. During the first wave of the pandemic, from 6 April to 11 May 2020, all patients tested positive for COVID-19 confirmed by RT-PCR underwent two follow-up ENT consultations within 10 days of symptom onset. The main outcome measures were the evolution of medical management (out-patient care, standard hospital admission, and ICU admission) at diagnosis and along the clinical course of COVID-19 disease. RESULTS: Among 481 patients included, the prevalence of OD was 60.7%, and it affected mostly female patients (74.3%) under 65 years old (92.5%), with fewer comor-bidities than patients with normal olfactory function. Here, 99.3% (290/292) of patients with OD presented with non-severe COVID-19 disease. Patients reporting OD were significantly less hospi-talized than the ones managed as outpatients, in either a standard medical unit or an ICU. Conclu-sions: As regards the clinical course of COVID-19 disease, OD could predict a decreased risk of hospitalization during the first wave of the pandemic.