Our objective is to determine whether the degree of endolymphatic hydrops as it is detected in vivo in patients with definite Meniere's disease correlates with audiovestibular function. In this prospective study, 37 patients with definite Meniere's disease according to AAO-HNS criteria were included. Intratympanic contrast enhanced temporal bone MRI was performed using a 3D FLAIR protocol. The degree of endolymphatic hydrops in the cochlea and the vestibulum was graded on a Likert scale (0-3). The degree of hydrops was then analyzed with respect to its correlation with audiometric hearing levels, electrocochleographic SP/AP ratios, interaural amplitude ratios of vestibular evoked myogenic potentials and degree of horizontal semicircular canal paresis on caloric irrigation. There was a significant correlation between the degree of hydrops on the one hand and the averaged hearing level at 0.25-1 and 0.5-3 kHz and the vestibular evoked myogenic potential interaural amplitude ratio on the other hand. A trend toward a correlation was noticed between the hydrops and the caloric response, no correlation was noticed between the hydrops and the SP/AP ratio. The degree of endolymphatic hydrops correlates with a progressive loss of auditory and sacculus function in patients with Meniere`s disease.

In patients with clinically and electrocochleographically confirmed definite Ménière's disease, the degree of MR morphological hydrops severity correlates significantly with impairment of hearing function and sacculus function.

Cochlear implantation is a relevant risk factor for damage of peripheral vestibular receptor function. Therefore, preservation not only of residual hearing function but also of vestibular function should be aimed for, by using minimally invasive surgical techniques.

Exposing patients to the risk of possible balance disorders associated with cochlear implantation is justified in view of the hearing rehabilitation achieved, even with today's broader indications for cochlear implantation. However, patients should in any case be informed about the possibility and quality of post-operative vertigo symptoms.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the quality of life and benefit in patients with single-side deafness before and 1 year after cochlear implantation. In a prospective observational study design, ten adult patients with single-sided deafness undergoing cochlear implantation were included. All patients had on the implantation side no speech discrimination with normal hearing aids. The contralateral side was normal or marginal hearing loss. For determining the subject benefit from cochlear implantation, each patient answered standardized questionnaires directly before implantation and 1 year after. Regarding the questionnaire Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing (SSQ), the tests yielded a significant difference in the subdomains "speech intelligibility" and "spatial hearing". The Nijmegen Cochlear Implant Questionnaire (NCIQ) showed a significant difference in the subdomain "basic sound perception", but not in the total score. The Glasgow Hearing Aid Benefit Profile (GHABP) showed on average moderate satisfaction in the subdomains "hearing aid benefit" and "residual disability". In general quality of life, no significant difference was found measured by the questionnaire EQ-5D-3L. One year after cochlear implantation, most patients with single-sided deafness showed benefits in hearing as measured by validated questionnaires However, not all patients reported a significant improvement in general quality of life. Therefore, it is important to inform patients adequately and offer alternative treatments before implantation.