Hearing preservation in cochlear implant recipients: A cross‐sectional cohort study

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Hearing preservation in cochlear implant recipients: A cross‐sectional cohort study Via Clinical Otolaryngology Abstract Objectives A surge of new developments and research regarding cochlear implants and hearing preservation resulted in several treatment options in the last 5 years. By reviewing our CI population of this period, we aimed to investigate hearing preservation rates and the effect of different treatment options on hearing preservation. Design Retrospectively, all adult cochlear implant recipients with preoperative residual hearing at lower frequencies (threshold <80 dB hearing level) in a single tertiary referral centre between 2015 and 2020 were analysed. Patients were classified into four groups based on their hearing preservation outcome. Subsequently, differences between the four groups regarding several patient dependent and independent factors were investigated. Results In this study, 140 patients were included, which is 46% of all adult CI recipients. Complete hearing preservation was achieved in 14 patients (10%), and complete loss of residual hearing in 48 patients (34%). The lateral wall array and local application of corticosteroids were associated with better hearing preservation. Intravenous corticosteroids, local hyaluronic acid and surgical experience had no effect on hearing preservation rates. Speech perception was not better in patients with residual hearing. Conclusion Approximately half of all adult cochlear implant recipients had residual hearing at lower frequencies before surgery. In current medical practice, only electrode choice seems to have a clear effect on hearing preservation rates. The majority of CI recipients lose their residual hearing after cochlear implantation. Much improvement in treating CI recipients is needed to preserve their residual hearing in the future. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.