Impairment of Caloric Function After Cochlear Implantation

Abstract

Purpose This article seeks to review current literature on caloric function following cochlear implantation while analyzing any correlations of caloric function changes with vestibular symptoms. Method This article is a systematic review of evidence-based literature. English language articles published between 1980 and 2014 that presented some form of caloric data from cochlear implant (CI) patients and that did not solely analyze overlapping data from a previous study were reviewed. Twenty-five articles met these criteria. Results Of the 439 individuals tested, 37% of patients demonstrated reduced maximum slow-phase velocity, and 34% had onset of caloric asymmetry post-CI. Conclusions This review article found that cochlear implantation can affect caloric responses but is variable. When counseling patients preoperatively, possible effects of CI on labyrinthine function should be discussed.