Binaural hearing – new perspectives in cochlear implantation for patientswith single-sided deafness and asymmetric hearing loss

Introduction Patients with single-sided deafness (SSD) and asymmetric hearing loss (AHL) are increasingly being treated with CI, due to the demonstrated improvement in the quality of life with CI. In the literature, there are numerous studies investigating both subgroups, but few in which the two groups are studied comparatively.

Material and Methods In the present study, 66 CI patients (21 SSD/ 45 AHL) were prospectively recruited. In addition to the hearing outcome, tinnitus distress (tinnitus questionnaire), health-related quality of life (Nijmegen Cochlear Implant Questionnaire, NCIQ), stress (Perceived Stress Questionnaire, PSQ) and psychological comorbidities (General Depression Scale, ADSL and Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale, GAD-7) were assessed in SSD and AHL patients, both pre- and postoperatively.

Results Preoperatively, the SSD patients showed significantly lower scores in the NCIQ (subdomains elementary and advanced sound perception) than the AHL group (p<0.05). Stress (PSQ) and anxiety symptoms (GAD-7), on the other hand, were significantly higher in SSD patients than in AHL patients (p<0.05). CI led to a significant improvement in both groups, with no differences between the groups being detectable in the investigated domains postoperatively.

Conclusion Preoperatively, SSD and AHL patient show significant differences. In addition to the improvement in their auditory abilities, both groups benefit from a sustained improvement in real-life situations. Especially in SSD patients, psychological stress factors can have an impact on the quality of life and thus also on the satisfaction with the CI. These special aspects should be taken into account in the counseling and rehabilitation processes.

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Artikel online veröffentlicht:
12. Mai 2023