Artikel
Benefits of cochlear implantation for unilateral deaf patients with ipsilateral tinnitus
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Veröffentlicht: | 6. Juli 2010 |
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Gliederung
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Introduction: Tinnitus suppression in bilaterally deaf patients, utilizing electrical stimulation of the hearing nerve, has been reported to be successful. Acoustic stimulation for the purpose of tinnitus-suppression in hearing tinnitus patients is as well an established therapeutic tool. However, for patients experiencing tinnitus in their unilateral deaf ear, a combined treatment method would be desirable. This study was therefore initiated to assess the benefits of cochlear implantation in this specific group.
Method: Five patients with unilateral deafness and ipsilateral tinnitus were implanted with a HiRes90K Cochlear Implant (CI) device on the affected ear. In monthly visits, the speech processor program was optimized and their hearing performance, as well as their tinnitus, monitored. Additionally, the potential for the CI to improve hearing in adverse listening situations when combined with the normal hearing side has been analyzed.
Results: Three patients experienced a significant tinnitus-suppression while wearing the device. The other two patients reported a reduction of their tinnitus just in certain situations. In three patients, speech perception tests revealed a significant hearing benefit when using the CI in combination with the normal hearing side. All participants accepted the device in a clinical setting, adaptation of the frequency allocation was not required.
Conclusions: Improvements of the hearing status as well as the tinnitus due to the CI could be observed. Not all participants benefit from the CI to the same degree. Cochlear implantation in patients with unilateral deafness and ipsilateral tinnitus may therefore be beneficial. Further studies with increased number of patients as well as different stimulation strategies are on the way.