Evaluation of otolith function in children after cochlear implant

Abstract

Abstract Background Patients with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss who do not respond to conventional hearing aids may be candidates for cochlear implant (CI) surgery, which carries the risk of vestibular dysfunction due to potential damage to the vestibular organs. The purpose of this work was to assess otolith organs performance in pediatric patients who underwent unilateral cochlear implantation. Methods This study investigated vestibular function by comparing 30 children aged 5 to 18 years with unilateral cochlear implant to a control group of 30 age-matched children with normal peripheral hearing. Evaluation methods for both groups included the pediatric Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) in Arabic, electrophysiological assessments via cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMPs and oVEMPs), and perceptual testing using subjective visual vertical (SVV) and subjective visual horizontal (SVH) tests. Results The control and the implanted side in the study group differed statistically significantly regarding P13, N23 latencies of cervical VEMPs, and P13-N23 amplitude, likewise between implanted and non-implanted sides in the research group. The control and study groups were not statistically different as regards N10, and P15 latencies of ocular VEMPs and N10-P15 amplitude. Data showed a considerable difference in SVV/SVH values involving both groups. Conclusion Routine pre-operative and post-operative vestibular evaluation should be done to all children who undergo CI.