A Prospective Study of the Effect of Cochlear Implantation on Tinnitus

Abstract

Previous studies have shown diverse and sometimes even contrary results concerning the effect of cochlear implantation on tinnitus and the factors that can influence this effect. The aim of this prospective questionnaire study was to determine the effects of cochlear implantation on tinnitus and explore which factors can influence the effect of cochlear implantation on tinnitus. Forty-four of the patients implanted in our hospital returned 2 questionnaire packages, i.e., one before the cochlear implantation and one 6 months after implantation. Before implantation, 66% of the patients experienced tinnitus. This study shows that cochlear implantation could help to reduce tinnitus and the tinnitus handicap in at least 28% of the patients with preoperative tinnitus. In 72% of the patients the tinnitus remained after implantation. None of the patients developed tinnitus after implantation. A shorter duration of tinnitus prior to implantation, a more fluctuating type of tinnitus, a higher tinnitus handicap prior to implantation, and a round-window surgical approach might have a positive influence on the effect of cochlear implantation on tinnitus, but further research is necessary to confirm these findings.

Cochlear Implantation in Meniere's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

“…56,57 A shorter duration of tinnitus prior to implantation, tonal tinnitus, a higher THI score prior to implantation, and a round-window insertion operation correlated with a positive influence of CoI on tinnitus suppression. 58 Our data supports the greater body of research in non-MD patients suggesting that CoI improves tinnitus. As with many individuals with hearing loss, tinnitus is only one aspect of CoI candidacy in Meniere's patients and, in isolation, may not be a justifiable indication for CoI.…”

Effects of Cochlear Implantation on Tinnitus and Depression

“…The study of Kloostra et al [1] evaluated the effect of CI on tinnitus in 44 CI users. They found out that CI could help to reduce the complaint of tinnitus in adults with hearing loss.…”

“…Tinnitus is a very common complaint in patients with hearing loss [1]. The many risk factors for tinnitus include hearing loss, ototoxic medications, head injury, otological disease, anxiety, and depression [2].…”

“…The many risk factors for tinnitus include hearing loss, ototoxic medications, head injury, otological disease, anxiety, and depression [2]. Tinnitus affects 3–12% of the general population [1]. Several hypotheses have been formulated to attempt to explain the cause of tinnitus.…”

“…The most common one involves central neural mechanisms. This hypothesis explains that maladaptive plastic changes in the central auditory pathways cause tinnitus as a reaction to peripheral hearing loss [1]. There are several methods for the treatment of tinnitus; drugs, surgery, hearing aids, tinnitus-breaker devices, wide-band sound therapy, and counseling are the most common [2].…”