Influence of cochlear implant treatment on tinnitus and dizziness in the elderly

Introduction Hearing rehabilitation using the cochlear implant (CI) has become the "gold standard" in Germany with severe hearing loss or deafness even in old age.

Many effects of CI treatment, such as the positive influence on speech understanding or quality of life have already been proven. The aim of this study was the influence of CI treatment on tinnitus and dizziness in old age.

Method We included a total of 27 patients between the ages of 70 and 79 in our prospective observational study with a first unilateral CI implantation. At three defined times (preoperatively, at the first fitting of the speech processor and within the 6-month control), the survey was based on the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) and the Tinnitus Questionnaire (TF12).

Results About half of the subjects (48.1%) suffered preoperatively from a tinnitus. Six months postoperatively, only 37% of patients were able to perceive tinnitus. There was a significant improvement in tinnitus intensity from the preoperative of 4.36 ± 2.9 points to 6,85 ± 5.7 in six-month follow-up (p = 0.006).

In the DHI, there was a non-significant decrease of 36.8 ± 11.8 in the preoperative survey to 31.6 ± 9.8 points six months postoperatively (p = 0.12).

Summary Hearing rehabilitation using CI results in a significant reduction in tinnitus within 6 months after implantation without an increase in dizziness. Thus, CI treatment in the elderly is not only a safe treatment option in terms of possible dizziness, but hearing rehabilitation also has a significant positive effect on tinnitus.

Poster-PDF A-1646.PDF

Publication History

Article published online:
10 June 2020