Cochlear Implant Outcomes in Patients With TMTC2-Associated Sensorineural Hearing Loss and Auditory Neuropathy/Auditory Dys-Synchrony

Abstract

Objective To investigate the outcomes of cochlear implantation in patients with TMTC2-associated sensorineural hearing loss and auditory neuropathy/auditory dys-synchrony. Patients Adult and pediatric cochlear implant (CI) patients followed in an academic center who tested positive for TMTC2 genetic variant rs35725509. Intervention Cochlear implantation. Main Outcome Measures Speech perception scores in quiet. Results Ten CI patients were identified with TMTC2 variant rs35725509 out of 157 patients who underwent genetic testing (i.e., 6.3% of patients tested). All demonstrated progressive, bilateral hearing loss with severe-to-profound audiometric thresholds preoperatively. Pre-CI and 1-year post-CI speech recognition percent correct scores were compared. Post-CI speech perception (mean 61.0%, standard deviation 31.4%) was significantly higher than pre-CI speech perception (mean 21.0%, standard deviation 27.0%) (p = 0.002). Individually, 9 of the 10 subjects experienced significant improvements in speech perception pre- to post-CI (p < 0.05). Electrically evoked compound action potential measures were available for five patients, and all showed normal electrically evoked compound action potential thresholds. Conclusion Patients with TMTC2-associated sensorineural hearing loss and auditory neuropathy/auditory dys-synchrony have significantly improved speech perception outcomes with cochlear implantation and should be considered candidates for this intervention if there are no other contraindications.