Cochlear implantation in patients with otosclerosis of the otic capsule.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate outcomes of cochlear implantation of patients with otosclerosis of the otic capsule. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective case series of 6 patients (7 ears). PATIENTS: 6 patients (7 ears), 5 patients with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss; 1 patient with mild to profound sensorineural hearing loss, with radiologic evidence of otosclerosis. All patients were adult males, with or without history of stapes surgery. INTERVENTION: Cochlear implantation of 7 ears. 5 patients with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss received the Nucleus Contour Advance peri-modiolar electrode array with binaural implantation performed in one patient. One patient with mild to profound sensorineural hearing loss received a Cochlear® Nucleus Hybrid L24 device. METHODS: Preoperative temporal bone CT, audiometric and speech perception testing scores were reviewed, confirming presence of otosclerosis of the cochlea as well as cochlear implant candidacy. Speech perception testing included CNC words, HINT sentences and AZ Bio scores to measure hearing outcomes post implantation. RESULTS: All recipients of the contour advance device had a significant improvement in hearing at both 3 and 6month follow up.The hybrid device recipient experienced loss of residual hearing in the implanted ear without improvement at 3months and mild improvement at 6months. CONCLUSION: Cochlear implantation has proven to be effective in the treatment of patients with sensorineural hearing loss, including those with otosclerosis of the cochlea.Hybrid candidacy in the setting of otosclerosis of the cochlea may require consideration of alternative electrode devices, most likely a peri-modiolar device.

Performance After Cochlear Reimplantation Using a Different Manufacturer.

OBJECTIVE: To better understand cochlear implant (CI) performance after reimplantation with a different device manufacturer. STUDY DESIGN: Multisite retrospective review. SETTING: Tertiary referral centers. PATIENTS: Patients older than 4 years who received a CI and subsequently underwent CI reimplantation with a different manufacturer over a 20-year period. INTERVENTION: Reimplantation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The primary outcome was difference in the best CNC score obtained with the primary CI, compared with the most recent CNC score obtained after reimplantation. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients met the criteria at three centers. The best average CNC score achieved by adult patients after primary cochlear implantation was 46.2% (n = 16), measured an average of 14 months (range: 3-36 mo) postoperatively. When looking at the most recent CNC score of adult patients before undergoing reimplantation, the average CNC score dropped to 19.2% (n = 17). After reimplantation, the average 3- to 6-month CNC score was 48.3% (n = 12), with most recent average CNC score being 44.4% (n = 17) measured an average of 19 months (range: 3-46 mo) postoperatively. There was no statistically significant difference (p = 0.321; t11 = 0.48) identified in performance between the best CNC score achieved by adult patients after primary cochlear implantation, and the most recent score achieved after reimplantation (n = 12). Analysis of prerevision and postrevision speech performance was not possible in pediatric patients (<18 yr old) because of differences in tests administered. CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing reimplantation with a different manufacturer achieved CNC score performance comparable to their best performance with their original device.

Predictors of Short-Term Changes in Quality of Life after Cochlear Implantation.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed 1) to measure the effect of cochlear implantation on health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) using the Cochlear Implant Quality of Life (CIQOL) questionnaire and 2) to determine audiologic, demographic, and non-CI/hearing-related QOL factors influencing the CIQOL. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTIONS: Thirty-seven adult patients with sensorineural hearing loss undergoing cochlear implantation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: CIQOL-global score preimplantation and 6 months postimplantation. Physical function score as measured by the short-form survey, audiologic, and demographic variables. RESULTS: CIQOL showed significant improvement from preimplantation to 6 months postactivation with a mean difference of 14.9 points (95% confidence interval, 11.3 to 18.5, p < 0.0001). Improvement in CIQOL (ΔCIQOL) correlated linearly with age ( r = -0.49, p = 0.001) and improvement in speech perception testing ( r = 0.63, p < 0.0001). Multivariate modeling using age and change in consonant-vowel nucleus-consonant (CNC) score explained 46% of the variability measured by the ΔCIQOL-global score. CONCLUSIONS: Nearly all CI recipients achieve significant gains for all domains as measured by the CIQOL. However, younger patients and those with a greater improvement in speech perception performance (CNC) are more likely to achieve a greater CIQOL benefit. Results here suggest the importance of considering preoperative CIQOL and speech perception measures when evaluating predictors of HR-QOL.