Cochlear implantation in patients with asymmetric hearing loss: reporting and discussing the benefits in speech perception, speech reception threshold, squelch abilities, and patients’ reported outcomes

Abstract

AbstractObjectivesThis study presents the results obtained in a group of patients with asymmetric hearing loss undergoing cochlear implantation at our institution. Prognostic factors are discussed in relation to different rehabilitative approaches for asymmetric hearing loss remediation. The current literature is also discussed.MethodsNineteen adult patients with post-verbal asymmetric hearing loss were enrolled. The results were assessed by means of a speech perception test, completed in silence and with background noise, and a speech reception threshold test (Oldenburg Sentence Test). The subjectively perceived benefits were assessed using the Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale.ResultsStatistically significant improvements were achieved by all patients in terms of speech perception and speech reception threshold, and in subjective benefits.ConclusionThe results confirm the literature findings which suggest that patients with asymmetric hearing loss generally gain substantial benefit from cochlear implantation because of the binaural input, with significant improvement in speech perception abilities in noise, speech reception threshold, and squelch abilities.