Performance and self‐perceived hearing impairment after cochlear implantation in Menière's disease

Abstract

Objective: Evaluation of the self-perceived hearing impairment and performance after cochlear implantation in patients with definite Menière's disease (MD).Patients and Methods: Seventeen unilaterally or bilaterally profoundly hearingimpaired patients suffering from MD who received a cochlear implantat (CI) were eligible for inclusion in this study. Their self-perceived hearing impairment using the short Speech Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ12) as well as their performance in speech perception (German language Freiburger mono-and multisyllable test, Oldenburger sentence test) were compared with a best-matched control group of non-MD patients up to 24 months of follow-up.Results: MD patients improved significantly in perception of monosyllables presented at 65 dB SPL , from preoperatively best aided 18.2% [2.4, 34.0] to 51.7% [39.4, 63.9] 1 year after cochlear implantation (mean [95% confidence interval]). Their performance approached the matched controls with 63. 2% [55.7, 70.8]. Monosyllables presented at a lower intensity of 55 dB SPL revealed a significant underperformance of the MD patients (21.1% [12.6, 29.6]) in contrast to the non-MD controls (39.1% [30.9, 47.4]) 12 months post-CI. Self-assessed hearing disability was significantly more pronounced in MD patients with a mean total SSQ12 score of 3.6 [2.4, 4.9] in comparison to 6. 1 [5.4, 6.8] of the matched non-MD controls after 12 months of cochlear implantation. Conclusion:Cochlear implantation substantially improves hearing capabilities in profoundly hearing-impaired patients with MD, but they tend to underperform in comparison to non-MD patients at least at lower sound pressure levels. This is likely one reason for the poorer self-assessed hearing function of cochlear implanted MD patients.

Investigation of Maximum Monosyllabic Word Recognition as a Predictor of Speech Understanding with Cochlear Implant

“…Although longterm care outcomes for inactive Menière's disease have been described as good [21], active Menière's still requires considerable clinical or individual resources [22,23]. The impact on WRS 65 (CI) and subjective hearing-related impairment might be substantial [21,22,24]. Previous studies have demonstrated that patients with active Menière's and fluctuating hearing have increased impedances and require continuous adjustments to the CI sound processor [25].…”