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Otology/Neurotology

Vestibular Symptoms Post Cochlear Implantation May Impact Low-Frequency Hearing Preservation

Monday, October 2, 2023
8:36 AM - 8:42 AM East Coast USA Time
Location: 104BC
Disclosure(s):
Keelin A. Fallon: No relevant relationships to disclose.
Aaron K. Remenschneider, MD: No relevant relationships to disclose.
Introduction: The objective of this study was to evaluate residual low frequency hearing and postoperative vestibular symptoms (VS) in patients undergoing hearing preservation (HP) cochlear implant (CI) surgery.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted at a tertiary care center. Adult patients who underwent a HP approach for CI surgery between October 2017 and June 2022 were included. Preservation of low frequency (LF) hearing was recorded as the average difference in pure-tone average (PTA) at 250 Hz and 500 Hz on preoperative and postoperative audiograms. Patient-reported VS including dizziness, imbalance, and vertigo were recorded based on chart review.

Results: 61 patients underwent a HP approach for CI surgery, of whom 49 patients were included. Postoperative residual hearing was measured at an average of 3.5 months post-implantation. 24% of patients had a change in LF hearing of ≤15dB, 35% had a change of 16-30dB, and 41% had a change of ≥31dB. One patient (8%) with a change in LF hearing of 0-15dB had VS postoperatively, compared to six patients (35%) with a change in LF hearing of 16-30dB and nine patients (45%) with a change in LF hearing of ≥31dB. Patients who experienced postoperative VS had an average change in LF PTA of 43 dB compared to an average change of 26 dB in the group without postoperative VS (p=0.01).

Conclusions: CI patients who experience postoperative VS are less likely to have low frequency hearing preservation. This may suggest trauma to inner ear structures during CI surgery can influence both residual hearing and VS.