Vestibular function after cochlear implant surgery

• Published in: Cochlear implants international Vol. 17; no. 3; pp. 151 - 157
• Main Authors: Meli, Annalisa, Aud, Bernadette Musumeci, Aud, Simona Tognocchi, Aud, Raffaella Gaggi, Cristofari, Eliana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 03.05.2016
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Audiometry, Pure-Tone; Caloric stimulation; Cervical VEMP; Cochlea - physiopathology; Cochlear implant; Cochlear Implantation - adverse effects; Cochlear Implants - adverse effects; Deafness - physiopathology; Deafness - surgery; Female; Humans; Iatrogenic Disease; Male; Middle Aged; Postoperative Complications - etiology; Postoperative Complications - physiopathology; Prospective Studies; Semicircular Canals - physiopathology; Stabilometry; Treatment Outcome; Vestibular compensation; Vestibular Diseases - etiology; Vestibular Diseases - physiopathology; Vestibular function; Vestibular Function Tests; Vestibule, Labyrinth - physiopathology; Vestibulo-ocular; Vestibulo-spinal; Vestibular function; Vestibulo-ocular; Vestibulo-spinal; Cochlear implant; Cervical VEMP; Stabilometry; Vestibular compensation; Caloric stimulation
• ISSN: 1467-0100; 1754-7628; 1754-7628
• DOI: 10.1179/1754762815Y.0000000014

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze vestibular function in cochlear implant (CI) patients for iatrogenic damage to vestibular function. Methods: Prospective clinical study. Tertiary care audiological center. Twenty-five subjects receiving surgery for cochlear implantation during 2012 and 2013 were analyzed. Both vestibulo-ocular and vestibulo-spinal responses before and 2 months after CI surgery were evaluated using several tests: analysis of spontaneous nystagmus, head shaking test (HST), and head impulse test recorded by videooculography; caloric stimulation at 44° and 30° in both ears; cervical evoked myogenic potentials and static stabilometry. Residual cochlear function was tested by air-conduction pure-tone audiometry. Results: Our tests showed damage to vestibular receptors after CI surgery in 12% of the patients; in particular, horizontal semicircular canal function and saccular function had lower responses after surgery. Audiometric results showed poorer thresholds after CI surgery. The static stabilometry results indicate good vestibulo-spinal responses and patients did not report disequilibrium nor postural deficit. Conclusion: All data suggest an efficient vestibular compensation mechanism in CI patients.