The development of hearing abilities in a second-implanted side depends on the interimplant interval, the hearing aid use, and the duration of the second CI use.

The aims of the present multi-center study were to investigate the extent of mental health problems in adolescents with a hearing loss and cochlear implants (CIs) in comparison to normal hearing (NH) peers and to investigate possible relations between the extent of mental health problems of young CI users and hearing variables, such as age at implantation, or functional gain of CI. The survey included 140 adolescents with CI (mean age = 14.7, SD = 1.5 years) and 140 NH adolescents (mean age = 14.8, SD = 1.4 years), their parents and teachers. Participants were matched by age, gender and social background. Within the CI group, 35 adolescents were identified as “risk cases” due to possible and manifest additional handicaps, and 11 adolescents were non-classifiable. Mental health problems were assessed with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) in the versions “Self,” “Parent,” and “Teacher.” The CI group showed significantly more “Peer Problems” than the NH group. When the CI group was split into a “risk-group” (35 “risk cases” and 11 non-classifiable persons) and a “non-risk group” (n = 94), increased peer problems were perceived in both CI subgroups by adolescents themselves. However, no further differences between the CI non-risk group and the NH group were observed in any rater. The CI risk-group showed significantly more hyperactivity compared to the NH group and more hyperactivity and conduct problems compared to the CI non-risk group. Cluster analyses confirmed that there were significantly more adolescents with high problems in the CI risk-group compared to the CI non-risk group and the NH group. Adolescents with CI, who were able to understand speech in noise had significantly less difficulties compared to constricted CI users. Parents, teachers, and clinicians should be aware that CI users with additionally special needs may have mental health problems. However, peer problems were also experienced by CI adolescents without additional handicaps.

• Radiological (CT and MR) features are of crucial importance for cochlear implantation • Imaging can identify two types of incomplete cochlear partition and atypical cases • Detailed pre-operative radiological assessment can help predict complications and outcome • A more comprehensive radiological classification of these anomalies is proposed.

Most patients with WS performed well with cochlear implants. However, WS is related to behavioral disorders that may cause temporary rehabilitation difficulties. Finally, temporal bone malformations that could affect cochlear implantation are notcharacteristic of WS.

Purpose: The evaluation of long-term results of cochlear implantation in patients with typical Cogan syndrome. Procedures: The medical records of approximately 3,000 patients who underwent cochlear implantation in a tertiary centre within the period 1992–2007 were retrospectively examined. Results: Four cochlear implant recipients with Cogan syndrome (6 implantations) were identified. One cochlea was found to be partially obliterated; the electrode could, however, be completely inserted. Wound healing disorders and infections in a patient with systemic symptoms were the only postoperative complications. Hearing outcome was favorable, with average HSM and monosyllabic scores of 96.7 and 82.5%, respectively, in an average follow-up time of 9.25 years. Conclusions: Cochlear implantation is the appropriate hearing rehabilitation method in Cogan syndrome patients. Although the basic illness does not affect the long-term hearing outcome, skin-atrophy-related complications in cases with systemic symptoms may occur. Finally, the cochlear implant surgeon should be aware of the possible cochlea obliteration.