Study protocol: the biologics in severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps survey.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a frequent condition affecting approximately 2% of the population. Medical treatment consists long-term use of intranasal corticosteroids and short-term use of oral corticosteroids, in adjunct with saline solution rinses. Surgical management is proposed in patients who failed after medical treatment. In France, two biologics are reimbursed in case of severe uncontrolled CRSwNP despite medical treatment and endoscopic sinus surgery. Waiting for head-to-head biologics comparison, studies should report the efficacy and safety of biologics in large real-life cohorts. This study protocol describes the aims and methods of a prospective, observational, national, multicentric cohort of patients with CRSwNP treated with biologics. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The BIOlogics in severe nasal POlyposis SurvEy is a French multicentre prospective observational cohort study. The main aim is to assess the efficacy and tolerance of biologics in patients with CRSwNP, with or without association with other type 2 diseases, and to determine the strategies in case of uncontrolled disease under biologics. Patients over 18 years old requiring biologics for CRSwNP in accordance with its marketing approval in France (ie, severe nasal polyposis, with lack of control under nasal corticosteroid, systemic corticosteroids and surgery) are invited to participate. Collected data include topical history of surgical procedures and biologics, medication and use of systemic corticosteroids, visual analogical scales for specific symptoms, Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-22 questionnaire, nasal polyp score, asthma control test, Lund-Mackay score on CT scan and IgE concentration and eosinophilic count on blood sample. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT05228041/DRI_2021/0030.

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.

Management of 80 sinonasal undifferentiated carcinomas. Retrospective multicentre study of the French Network of Rare Head and Neck Cancers (REFCOR).

OBJECTIVES: Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC) is a rare and aggressive disease requiring multimodal treatment, and multiple new entities once included in the spectrum of SNUC, such as SWI/SNF-deficient carcinomas, are emerging. We aimed to provide new data regarding the role of chemotherapy and surgery and the prognostic factors of disease-free survival. METHODS: This study was based on data from the REFCOR database and included patients with SNUC treated with curative intent from 2007 to 2021 across 22 centres in France. RESULTS: A total of 80 patients were included in the analysis. Among the entire cohort, the 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 58% and 63%, respectively. Of 100% of the patients treated with irradiation, 29% underwent surgery, 56% neoadjuvant chemotherapy (82% had either a partial or a complete response) and 76% chemoradiotherapy. No treatment modality was associated with a better OS or DFS, including surgery (p = 0.34). There was a trend for a better DFS for the patients treated with chemotherapy (neoadjuvant or concomitant, p = 0.062). Overall survival at 3 years was 58% for SWI/SNF deficient group and 86% for non deficient group (p = 0.14). The locoregional relapse rate without distant metastases was 21% in the exclusive radiotherapy group and 26% in the surgery group. Grade 3 or higher toxicities concerned 9%, 32% and 29% of patients for surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy respectively. CONCLUSION: In the management of localised SNUC among all patients treated with irradiation, surgery yielded no benefit, whereas the addition of chemotherapy tended to improve disease-free survival.

Definition of severity and treatment response in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps: a Delphi study among French experts.

INTRODUCTION: The introduction of biotherapies has significantly changed the management of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). These drugs are generally reserved for severe or recurrent CRSwNP. Thus, the concepts of severity of the disease and treatment response must be mastered by otorhinolaryngologists. However, a clear definition of these concepts in CRSwNP is missing. METHODS: This article focuses on definitions of severity and treatment response in CRSwNP by providing an expert consensus among French rhinologists, using a Delphi study. RESULTS: The severity assessment should seek the presence of uncontrolled asthma, olfactory disorders, nasal blockage, impaired quality of life (QOL) and cumulative annual dose of systemic corticosteroids.The treatment response should assess the presence of olfactory disorders, nasal blockage, QOL impairment, response to background therapy, resistance and/or dependence to oral corticosteroids, cumulative annual dose of systemic corticosteroids, response to surgery and to biologics.A failure after polypectomy should not be considered as a failure of surgical management of CRSwNP and must discuss the realization of an extended sinus surgery procedure before the prescription of biologics. CONCLUSION: Definitions of severity, control of CRSwNP, as well as therapeutic strategies to improve patients' QOL achieved high level of consensus.

Multicenter study to assess surgical treatments of 452 sinonasal intestinal-type adenocarcinomas: A REFCOR study.

PURPOSE: The objective was to assess the local oncological outcomes of endoscopic versus external surgical treatment of sinonasal intestinal-type adenocarcinomas (ITAC) and the factors of recurrence. METHODS: a retrospective non-randomized case-control multicenter study was carried out, including 452 untreated sinonasal ITACs recruited from 10 tertiary referral centers. The tumors were re-classified according to the UICC 2017 (pT). Survival curves were obtained using the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate analysis was done with the log-rank test. Multivariate analysis was performed with a Cox model adjusted for age, T stage, and radiotherapy. A binary logistic regression compared surgical complications and performed two supplementary analyses on positive margins. RESULTS: We compared 195 and 257 patients operated by the external and endoscopic approach, respectively. The mean follow-up was 59.2 ± 48.7 months. Post-operative margins were invaded in 30.6 versus 18.9% of patients, respectively (p = 0.007). The overall recurrence rate was 33.8 versus 24.6%, respectively (p = 0.034). There was a significant difference in favor of the endoscopic approach regarding local recurrence-free survival thanks to better surgical margins in univariate and multivariate analysis (Odd Ratio = 2.01 (1.2-3.36) p = 0.0087). The complication rate (Odds Ratio = 3.4 (1.79-6.32) p < 0.001) was significantly lower in the endoscopic group. The histological positivity of signet-ring cells shows a statistically significant difference in recurrence-free survival (p = 0.0028). CONCLUSION: the oncological control of ITAC is better through the endoscopic approach, with negative margins and the absence of signet-ring-cells, two independent factors of recurrence.

Descriptive analysis of recurrences of nasal intestinal-type adenocarcinomas after radiotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Despite adjuvant radiotherapy, rates of recurrences of endoscopically operated nasal intestinal-type adenocarcinomas (ITAC) have not been improved in successive series. To better understand how to improve local control, we aimed to investigate the site of local recurrences of ITACs. METHODS: Retrospective study in a reference center in sinonasal malignancies. For all patients with a local recurrence, radiotherapy plans were retrieved and compared to the delineation of local recurrences. RESULTS: Of 63 patients, 54 underwent adjuvant radiotherapy of which 14 (25.9%) had a local recurrence. Eleven of them had their onset in an optimally irradiated area. Difficulty to dissect the cribriform plate and/or the lateral lamina was reported for 11 patients with local recurrences in the operative reports (p <0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Most of recurrences arose in an optimally irradiated area. A close cooperation between surgeons and radiotherapists is required to define areas at risk and adapt treatment.

Is Revision Surgery Necessary for Patients With High Risk of Recurrence After Parotidectomy? A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

OBJECTIVES: Close margin is a frequent situation after parotidectomy. The need for systematic prophylactic revision surgery is a question that arises regularly for malignant tumors, as it exposes to a high risk of facial palsy, while oncological benefits are unclear. STUDY DESIGN: retrospective study. SETTING: Multicentric. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We included all patients operated for systematic revision surgery in case of close margins after parotidectomy for a malignant tumor and analyzed the rate of tumor residue and its risk factors. RESULTS: A tumor residue was identified in 43.5% of 23 cases, but none in case of initial complete excision with supra-millimetric margins. Invaded lymph nodes were identified in 6 cases, but none in case of low-grade tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Systematic revision seems mandatory in case of infra-millimetric margins and high-grade tumors or positive lymph node; further studies are needed to confirm whether it can be spared for T1-T2/N0 low-grade tumors, with close margins but complete initial excision.

Failure of anterior skull base reconstruction for sinonasal carcinoma: consequence on the postoperative follow up. A multicentre evaluation of management.

BACKGROUND: Numerous techniques for closure of the anterior skull base in cancer patients have a high success rate but management of failure is poorly documented. OBJECTIVES: To standardize the post-operative follow-up after reconstruction surgery of the anterior skull base after removal for sinonasal carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of failure of anterior skull base reconstruction between 2005 and 2018 in a multicenter setting. RESULTS: Twenty four patients were included. Reconstruction failure was detected by a cerebrospinal (CSF) leak in 79.2%, by an infectious complication without CSF leak (i.e. meningitis) in 12.5%, and in 8.3% by extensive pneumocephalus. Failure was observed during the first week after surgery in 75% of patients, in the second week in 21%, and in 4% after day 15. The delay in discovery of the failure was associated with multilayer reconstruction (p=.03). Failure was treated surgically in 54% of the patients and medically in 46%, with a similar success rate (85 vs. 100%). CONCLUSION AND SIGNIFICANCE: After carcinologic resection of the anterior skull base, monitoring should be systematic during the first postoperative week. Surgical management of failure is not always necessary.

Respiratory Epithelial Adenomatoid Hamartoma is Frequent in Olfactory Cleft After Nasalization.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the site and histopathology of polyps at the first revision surgery for recurrent nasal polyposis (NP) after radical ethmoidectomy (nasalization). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. METHODS: Between January 2008 and December 2015, a total of 62 patients having undergone revision surgery for recurrent NP after nasalization were included. The site and histology of the recurrence of polyps were analyzed according to operative and pathological reports. RESULTS: Histology showed classical inflammatory nasal polyps (CINP) in 91% of nasal cavities at primary surgery versus respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartoma (REAH) or REAH associated to CINP in 54.8% at revision surgery (P < .0001). Polyps were principally observed in the ethmoidal complex in 70% of nasal cavities during primary surgery and in the olfactory clefts in 88.7% during revision surgery (P < .0001). The mean interval between nasalization and first revision surgery was 8.8 ± 4.4 years (0.4-21.7 years). This interval was significantly shorter for grade 3 polyps, polyps removed from both ethmoidal complex and olfactory cleft at primary surgery, association of CINP and REAH at primary surgery, and when primary surgery had preserved the middle turbinates. CONCLUSION: Polyp recurrences after nasalization were mainly observed in the olfactory clefts and can be different histological features: inflammatory polyps, respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartoma, or a combination of both. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 130:2098-2104, 2020.

[Chronic rhinosinusitis of adults: new definition, new diagnosis]. / Rhinosinusites chroniques de l'adulte : nouvelle définition, nouveau diagnostic.

Chronic rhinosinusitis of adults: new definition, new diagnosis. The three-nose theory, which is based on evolution and development of the nose, seems useful for a better understanding of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). The nose seems in fact to be composed of three noses (one olfactory, one respiratory and one sinusal nose), each of them being able to be affected by specific diseases. The concept of chronic nasal dysfunction (CND) is based on standardized recording of nose and sinus symptoms, irrespectively of their aetiology. Clinical, endoscopic and CT-scan check up is then aimed to look for a specific disease of one or the other of the three noses (nasal polyposis, chronic respiratory rhinitis, sinusitis…) or for a disease affecting simultaneously the three noses (rhinosinusitis), each disease leading if necessary to specific additional tests (allergic tests, tooth check-up, immune balance tests…). This implies specific therapeutic options, the effectiveness of the choosed one being evaluated by comparing the standardized recordings of nose and sinus symptoms.

Rhinosinusites chroniques de l'adulte : nouvelle définition, nouveau diagnostic. Pour mieux comprendre la rhinosinusite chronique, il peut être utile de s'appuyer sur la théorie des trois nez, issue des connaissances sur l'évolution et le développement de l'organe nasal humain. Celui-ci apparaît comme un assemblage de trois nez différents (nez olfactif, nez respiratoire et nez sinusien) qui peuvent développer chacun des pathologies propres. Le concept de dysfonctionnement nasal chronique repose sur l'enregistrement standardisé des symptômes rhinosinusiens, indépendamment de leur étiologie. Le bilan clinique, endoscopique et tomodensitométrique a alors pour but de rechercher une pathologie spécifique à l'un ou l'autre des trois nez (polypose nasale, rhinite respiratoire chronique, sinusite…) ou une pathologie diffuse touchant les trois nez (rhinosinusite), qui dans chaque cas peut conduire si nécessaire à des investigations complémentaires (bilan allergologique, dentaire, immunitaire…). Il en découle des propositions thérapeutiques spécifiques, l'efficacité de celle retenue étant évaluée par comparaison des recueils de symptômes standardisés.

Can anatomical assessment of hypopharyngolarynx in awake patients predict obstructive sleep apnea?

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To assess the relationships between laryngeal and hypopharyngeal morphology and obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) in awake patients. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study. METHODS: Awake flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy and sleep studies were performed in 80 patients for snoring or OSAHS suspicion. Endoscopic videos were reviewed by two examiners to assess morphological characteristics of hypopharynx and larynx using a standardized examination of appearance, shape and position of epiglottis, shape of retropharyngeal-epiglottic aerospace (RPEA), modified Cormack-Lehane score, and length ratios of the hypopharynx and epiglottis. The multivariate logistic regression model was used to assess independent predictors of moderate/severe OSAHS. RESULTS: The interrater agreements were moderate for epiglottis appearance (κ = 0.52), epiglottis form (κ = 0.66), and epiglottis position (κ = 0.49), but fair for the shape of RPEA (κ = 0.26) and modified Cormack-Lehane scoring (κ = 0.38). The presence of a mega-epiglottis was significantly correlated with the severity of OSAHS (P < .05). By multivariate logistic regression analysis, independent predictors of moderate/severe obstructive sleep apnea were mega-epiglottis (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: = 4.78, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.23-18.56, P = .024), modified Cormack-Lehane score of 2 (aOR: 15.3, 95% CI: 1.8-130.3, P = .012), or modified Cormack-Lehane score of 3 (aOR: 10.03, 95% CI: 1.3-78.2, P = .03) and aging (aOR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.01-1.14, P = .025). CONCLUSIONS: Routine flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy performed by otorhinolaryngologists in awake patients may help to detect some predictors of OSAHS such as presence of mega-epiglottis, and modified Cormack-Lehane score of 2 or more. Investigation of sleep disorders should be proposed in these patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2 Laryngoscope, 129:2782-2788, 2019.

Prospective, randomized, controlled, open-label study to compare efficacy of a mineral-rich solution vs normal saline after complete ethmoidectomy.

PURPOSES: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of a mineral-rich solution vs normal saline solution (0.9% NaCl) following endoscopic complete bilateral ethmoidectomy. METHODS: This was a prospective, multicenter, randomized, controlled, open-label trial in subjects suffering from steroid-resistant sinonasal polyposis. Adults performed 4 nasal irrigations of mineral or saline solutions daily for 28 days. Evaluations included subject-reported RHINO quality of life (QoL) and NOSE scores, tolerability, and satisfaction, the Lund-Kennedy endoscopic score and assessments of crusting, secretions and mucociliary clearance (rhinoscintigraphy). RESULTS: A total of 189 subjects were randomized. Clinically relevant improvements (> 20 points) in RhinoQOL and NOSE scores were measured in both groups without any significant inter-group difference. Among the subjects with impaired RhinoQOL at pre-inclusion, the change in Impact-RhinoQOL score was significantly superior in mineral-rich vs saline solution at day 21 (p = 0.028) and day 28 (p = 0.027). The Lund-Kennedy score continuously improved in both groups earlier with the mineral-rich solution. Crusts were significantly fewer in number and less severe/obstructive in patients receiving mineral-rich vs saline solution at day 7 (p = 0.026) and day 14 (p = 0.016). Furthermore, secretions disappeared significantly more quickly and were less thick/purulent with mineral-rich solution at day 14 (p = 0.002) and day 21 (p = 0.043). Less epistaxis was reported in the mineral vs saline solution (p = 0.008 at day 21). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that the composition of a nasal irrigation solution influences endoscopic scores and QoL after sinus surgery for patients over 60, those with an initially poor QoL and higher symptom score, and smokers.

Compartmentalized endoscopic resection of the olfactory cleft for nasal intestinal adenocarcinomas.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to describe the pathology of the different compartments in endoscopic resection of nasal intestinal-type adenocarcinomas (ITACs) and its relationships with oncologic outcomes. METHODS: This retrospective study included all patients endoscopically operated for nasal ITACs, followed by radiotherapy in the majority of cases, between 2004 and 2014. The surgery systematically separated 3 compartments: ethmoid lateral mass, olfactory cleft, and anterior cranial fossa (in cases with skull-base invasion) to analyze their pathological "focal" or "massive" invasion by the tumor. RESULTS: Sixty-seven patients (aged 69.2 ± 9.8 years) were included. Twenty-nine patients (43.3%) had only pathological focal invasion. At 61.0 ± 41.7 months of mean follow-up, the recurrence rates were 34.2% in the group with massive invasion and 10.3% in the group with focal invasion (P = .023). The disease-specific death rate had a tendency to be higher in the group with massive invasion (23.7% vs 6.9% for the group with focal invasion; P = .097). By Kaplan-Meier analysis, the 5-year disease-specific survival rate was better in the group with focal invasion than the group with massive invasion (P = .01). The 5-year overall survival was not different between the 2 groups (47.4% and 65.5% for focal invasion and massive invasion respectively; P = .14). CONCLUSION: Compartmentalized endoscopic resection, combined with postoperative radiotherapy, is one way to operate on nasal ITACs with good oncologic outcomes.

Clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma: a multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC) is a very rare entity with a poor prognosis. Due to the lack of studies on the subject, evidence is lacking concerning its management. METHODS: A multicenter collaborative study was conducted to assess treatment strategy, oncological outcome, and prognostic factors. RESULTS: Definitive analyses focused on 54 patients with a majority of advanced stage; the 3-year overall survival (OS) and 3-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were, respectively, 62.4% and 47.8%. During the follow-up, 18 patients (33.3%) died, 10 (18.5%) developed metastases, 7 had lymph-node involvement (13%), and 12 (22.2%) showed recurrence or local progression. In univariate analyses, treatment modalities associated with improved RFS were induction chemotherapy (p = 0.02) and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (p = 0.007). In the multivariate analyses, only induction chemotherapy (p = 0.047, hazard ratio [HR] = 0.39) was significantly associated with improved RFS. CONCLUSION: Multimodal therapies including induction chemotherapy and intensity-modulated radiotherapy may improve the prognosis of SNUC; surgery might improve local control. Further multicenter studies are required.

Multicenter assessment of exclusive endoscopic endonasal approach for the treatment of 53 olfactory neuroblastomas.

BACKGROUND: Given the particularities of olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB) and the lack of studies on the subject, a multicenter collaborative study was conducted to assess treatment strategy. METHODS: Fifty-three patients with ONB were included from the French Rare Head and Neck Cancer Expert Network (REFCOR) database: 16T1, 8T2, 19T3, and 10T4. All cases were treated endoscopically with skull base removal and repair in 26 cases (49%) and without external craniotomy. RESULTS: The overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates at 5 years were 87% and 71%, respectively, with mean follow-up of 45.4 ± 26.5 months. The complication rate was 18.8% with 4 cases of meningitis. Pathological analysis showed positive margins in 26.8%, notably on the dura-mater and periorbita, without impairment of OS or DFS. Forty-eight patients received adjuvant radiotherapy on T ± N. Ten patients had a recurrence (18.9%). Six patients died of their disease. Prophylactic neck irradiation seemed to reduce the recurrence rate. CONCLUSION: Exclusively endoscopic treatment proved efficient and reliable in a large controlled series.

Fine-tuned evaluation of olfactory function in patients operated for nasal polyposis.

Given the forced-choice procedure of the identification test, patients with profound anosmia are more likely to have higher identification scores by chance than patients with hyposmia or normosmia. This may be a confusing factor when assessing the sense of smell, which alters the appreciation of real olfaction improvement. The aim of this study was to fine-tune the results of the identification Sniffin' Sticks test before and 6 weeks after surgery using the real identification score. A total of 133 patients underwent the Identification (I) and Threshold (T) tests the day before and 6 weeks after nasalization surgery. The scores of the identification test, called I G (global identification), were ranked from 0 to 16. Patients had to specify if their forced-choice answers were given either surely or randomly, called I H (hazard identification). The real score of identification I R was obtained as follow: I R = I G - I H. Patients with an immeasurable threshold according to the T test were more prone to give randomly correct answers. On the basis of I G scores, 43.6% of patients remained hypo-anosmic after surgery compared to 72.9% before surgery. Using I R scores, only 3.8% of patients remained anosmic (I R = 0) at 6 weeks after surgery. Hence, patients with real anosmia (I R = 0) were less prone to improve their olfaction than patients with I R > 0. The analysis of random factor when using identification test allows differentiating a real anosmia from a hyposmia. An I G ≤ 4 could be considered as a profound/real anosmia or a severe hyposmia. This procedure cannot, however, replace the forced-choice method in odor identification testing.

Quality of life and audiologic performance through the ability to phone of cochlear implant users.

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of cochlear implantation on quality of life (QoL), using general and cochlear implant (CI) specific questionnaires and to determine the relationship of phone ability with QoL, speech recognition abilities and tinnitus. Twenty-six adult volunteers with a post-lingual profound deafness, unilaterally implanted with a CI, were included in this study. All subjects had used a CI for at least 1 year. The Glasgow benefit inventory (GBI) and Nijmegen cochlear implant questionnaire (NCIQ) were administered to assess QoL. Speech recognition was tested using phonemic Lafon's lists. The subjective tinnitus severity scale (STSS) questionnaire was used to determine the effects of tinnitus. CI users were split into four groups according to their phone ability. There was an improvement in QoL after cochlear implantation. The NCIQ showed significant (p < 0.001) improvements in the total score and in all subdomains after CI. A significant relationship between phone ability, QoL and speech recognition was found. Improving phone ability led to higher QoL (p < 0.05) and speech recognition (p < 0.01) scores. The CI use decreased significantly the occurrence of tinnitus, but its severity was not correlated with QoL. Post-surgery assessment should include speech recognition measures and QoL evaluation. The NCIQ appeared more effective than the GBI in its ability to detect improvements in QoL. Assessing phone ability represents an easy and fast approach to evaluate hearing performances and QoL, and may reflect global outcomes of CI.