Dynamic Postural Stability and Hearing Preservation after Cochlear Implantation

Abstract

Objectives: (1) To assess dynamic postural stability before and after cochlear implantation using a functional gait assessment (FGA). (2) To evaluate the correlation between loss of residual hearing and changes in dynamic postural stability after cochlear implantation. Methods: Candidates for first-sided cochlear implantation were prospectively included. The FGAs and pure-tone audiograms were performed before and 4–6 weeks after cochlear implantation. Results: Twenty-three subjects were included. Forty-eight percent (n = 11) showed FGA performance below the age-referenced norm before surgery. One subject had a clinically relevant decrease of the FGA score after cochlear implantation. No significant difference between the mean pre- and postoperative FGA scores was detectable (p = 0.4). Postoperative hearing loss showed no correlation with a change in FGA score after surgery (r = 0.3, p = 0.3, n = 16). Conclusion: Single-sided cochlear implantation does not adversely affect dynamic postural stability 5 weeks after surgery. Loss of functional residual hearing is not correlated with a decrease in dynamic postural stability.

Cochlear Implant Outcomes in Patients With Otosclerosis: A Systematic Review

“…The age at time of cochlear implantation ranged from 14 to 86 years. For four studies, the relevant data were not available directly from the published article and was sent to us by the authors (10–13). Study characteristics are summarized in Supplemental Digital Content 2 (see Table, Supplemental Digital Content 2, http://links.lww.com/MAO/B459).…”

“…In total, 44 of 67 studies reported both preimplantation and postimplantation audiological outcomes involving at least 309 patients, and improvements were reported in all but 5 of these studies. Of the five studies, one study reported one patient who became a nonuser of his cochlear implant from 1 month postoperatively (21), the second study had only 4-week postimplant follow-up and reported no response on PTA at all frequencies (11), and the third study reported one patient who had no significant improvement on speech perception tests, but the patient was reported to feel that the implant enhanced his awareness of sound and lipreading skills and wore the implant daily (41). The two remaining studies are likely to contain overlapping patients, and both report findings as the number of patients who were below the 25th percentile or below the mean cohort score, and as such, it is not possible to assess preimplant versus postimplant outcomes (8,9,27).…”

“…The age at time of cochlear implantation ranged from 14 to 86 years. For four studies, the relevant data were not available directly from the published article and was sent to us by the authors (10)(11)(12)(13)…”

“…The largest study contributed 59 patients out of a total of 481 patients included across all studies (14). Most of the studies were retrospective, seven studies included a prospective component involving a total of 56 patients (10,11,(15)(16)(17)(18)(19). Significant heterogeneity existed in terms of outcomes and methods of reporting, which precluded a meta-analysis.…”