Cochlear implant in the treatment of incapacitating unilateral tinnitus: case report

Abstract

Several studies have shown that cochlear implants may reduce or even eliminate tinnitus in patients with bilateral profound hearing loss. However, there are not consistent references regarding ipsilateral tinnitus compared to unilateral profound hearing loss. The aim of this paper is to describe audiological results of a patient with asymmetrical hearing loss with incapacitating ipsilateral tinnitus in the ear subjected to cochlear implant surgery. Audiological exams and responses to perception protocols for tinnitus before and after surgery were analyzed. The tests showed improvements in the hearing threshold on the side with the implant, improvements in speech perception and a significant reduction in tinnitus perception, which consequently led to an improvement in the patient's quality of life.

Tinnitus Suppression by Intracochlear Electrical Stimulation in Single-Sided Deafness: A Prospective Clinical Trial - Part I

“…Nevertheless, tinnitus can also be a complication after cochlear implantation [Di Nardo et al, 2007;Postelmans et al, 2007;Hou et al, 2010], possibly related to cochlear damage due to the surgery [Nordfalk et al, 2014;Todt et al, 2014]. Van de Heyning et al [2008] reported the first results of cochlear implantation in an attempt to treat tinnitus in single-sided deafness (SSD), after which many studies followed on tinnitus suppression in SSD [Kleinjung et al, 2009;Arndt et al, 2010;Buechner et al, 2010;Palau et al, 2010;Jacob et al, 2011;Kleine Punte et al, 2011;Firszt et al, 2012b;Mendes et al, 2012;Ramos et al, 2012;Hansen et al, 2013;Távora-Vieira et al, 2013 and reviewed by Arts et al, 2012;Blasco and Redleaf, 2014;Tokita et al, 2014;Vlastarakos et al, 2014;van Zon et al, 2015]. As a common conclusion it can be stated that cochlear implantation is a viable treatment option for tinnitus in SSD.…”

Tinnitus in adolescents and its relation to the use of personal sound systems

“…Tinnitus corresponds to sound perception, in the head or ear, without corresponding environmental stimuli 1 . Worldwide prevalence statistics indicate that 10% to 20% of the population exhibits the symptom 2,3 , and although there is positive relationship with age, the number of adolescents who have experienced at least one episode of temporary tinnitus induced by high sound pressure levels (SPL) reaches almost 75% in some samples 4 .…”

Intracochlear electrical stimulation to suppress tinnitus

“…Nevertheless, tinnitus can also be a complication after cochlear implantation Chapter Tinnitus suppression by intracochlear electrical stimulation in Single Sided Deafnessa prospective clinical trial: Part I 88 89 Hou et al, 2010] possibly related to cochlear damage due to the surgery [Nordfalk et al, 2014;. reported the first results of cochlear implantation in an attempt to treat tinnitus in single-sided deafness (SSD), after which many studies followed on tinnitus suppression in SSD Mendes et al, 2012; and reviewed by . As a common conclusion it can be stated that cochlear implantation is a viable treatment option for tinnitus in SSD.…”