OBJECTIVEThe aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of cochlear implantation on bilateral perceived tinnitus of postlingually deafened patients.

METHODTotal of 32 postlingually deafened cochlear implant recipients (13 males, 19 females; 31 unilateral,1 bilateral cochlear implantation) with bilateral tinnitus were assessed by Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) before and after implantation. Furthermore, characteristics information of tinnitus were recorded to analyze the variety of tinnitus. Intensity of tinnitus in ispilateral and contralateral ears was investigated when cochlear implant was switched on and off. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 18.0.

RESULTSTwenty-two patients (71.0%) got a decreased THI score of more than 20 points after the operation. The average THI score of pre-operation was 56.4±18.1, and post-operation score was 24.7±22.7. A paired-samples t test analysis showed a significant difference of the THI total scores (t=8.037, P<0.05). Tinnitus in the ipsilateral ear improved in 81.9% (27/33) patients and 18.2% (6/33) unchanged. Tinnitus in the contralateral ear improved in 71.0% (22/31) patients, 16.1% (5/31) unchanged and 12.9% (4/31) worsen. Tinnitus of ipsilateral ears improved or abolished in 97.0% (32/33) patients, while 83.9% (26/31) of contralateral ear got reduction or absence of loudness when cochlear implant was switched on.

CONCLUSIONSAs an electrical stimulation treatment method, cochlear implant has the inhibitory effect on tinnitus. However, cases of tinnitus aggravation were found, further data is still necessary before considering CI as a treatment of tinnitus.

Cochlear Implantation ; Cochlear Implants ; Electric Stimulation ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Perception ; Postoperative Period ; Tinnitus ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo observe the long-term safety and performance of Nurotron cochlear implant system. To analyze the auditory and speech rehabilitation characteristic of pediatric deafened patients after cochlear implantation.

METHODSTo analyze 3 years results of pediatric deafened patients with Nurotron® Venus™ cochlear implants. From April to June 2011, sixty deaf children received domestic cochlear implant. All subjects were switched on after 3 to 4 weeks of surgery, and were assessed the auditory rehabilitation on 3 months, 12 months, 24 months and 36 months after switching on. To evaluate the rehabilitation results by Aided Hearing Thresholds, Auditory & Verbal Ability Test and IT-MAIS Questionnaire. Meanwhile, the safety and performance of cochlear implant system were followed-up. Before surgery, all the recipients in this study were 12 to 71 months of age with the average hearing threshold higher than 90 dBHL.

RESULTSSixty cases of deaf children were implanted successfully. All the recipients used their devices every day, and all of their devices worked well. No complication or side effect related to implantation were found. The sound field aided hearing thresholds, vowels, consonants, monosyllabic words and two-syllable words test, as well as Ling's test, and IT-MAIS Questionnaire of all recipients were improved significantly with prolonged use of CI device. The results of grammatical competence, understanding, communication and presentation skills tests also get significantly promotion in 3 years follow up.

CONCLUSIONSWith prolonged use of CI device, the hearing and language tests of children recipients could obtain significantly improvement. The Nurotron® Venus™ CI system works safely and effectively.

Child ; Cochlear Implantation ; Cochlear Implants ; Deafness ; rehabilitation ; Hearing Tests ; Humans ; Language ; Speech Perception ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome