Hearing Restoration with Cochlear Implantation in Patients Deafened after Blunt Head Trauma.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to assess the outcomes of cochlear implantation in patients deafened following blunt head trauma.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective case series review of seven patients post-lingually deafened following blunt head trauma and aided with cochlear implants. The following data were analyzed: Cause of injury, computed tomography results, surgical information, intra- and post-implantation complications, audiometric and speech perception assessment, processor mapping, and data from follow-up appointments.

RESULTS: The median age of patients at the time of cochlear implantation was 29 years. The median time elapsed between head trauma and cochlear implantation was 5.77 months (minimum 0.8 and maximum 6.73 months). The median post-implantation follow-up time was 11.97 years. No facial nerve stimulation was observed in any case. All patients significantly improved their audiology and speech perception performances within a short time following cochlear implantation and CI performance did not decrease with long-term follow-up in any case.

CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that cochlear implantation is an effective treatment method for patients deafened following blunt head trauma.