Assessment of cochlear implantation outcome in patients with enlarged vestibular aqueduct syndrome

Abstract

Context: Theoverall outcome of cochlear implantation (CI) in patients with enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA) was comparable to other CI users. However, there were various concerns regarding surgical issues that may affect postoperative outcome. Moreover, exact timing for CI is still a matter of debate owing to the fluctuating nature of the disorder. Aim: This study aimed to investigate speech and language outcome in patients with EVA who had undergone CI. Patients and Methods: This prospective study included 48 participants who underwent CI. The participants’ age ranged from 4 to 28 years. The participants were divided according to preoperative radiological studies of petrous temporal bone into isolated EVA, EVA-IPII (incomplete partition type II), and control groups. Patients’ records were revised for preoperative investigations as well as available intraoperative data. Aided hearing thresholds, auditory skills, and aided speech perception abilities were all assessed postoperatively in all participants. Results: No major surgical complications were found in patients with EVA. Speech and language development in EVA group was comparable to that of control group. Conclusion: CI outcomes in patients with EVA regarding surgical issues, auditory benefit, and speech perception abilities are generally good.