Clinical correlates of sudden auditory-vestibular loss in a cochlear implant patient.
The precise electrophysiologic mechanism for sudden sensorineural auditory-vestibular loss has yet to be defined. No human models exist for this idiopathic phenomenon. A 67-year-old cochlear implant (CI) patient experienced what could be termed a "typical" acute sudden auditory-vestibular loss. Vestibular and CI electrical psychophysical changes were monitored over a 22-month period. Once the acute vestibular problems diminished, CI electrical parameters returned to near pre-episode levels. Some improvement occurred in rotational chair phase lag and asymmetry. While improving, platform posturography continued to show difficulty performing sensory organization tests V and VI. These clinical findings may imply that ganglion cell and neuronal population are responsible for the auditory findings in sudden auditory-vestibular loss. Secondly, a CI patient may serve as an ideal human model for further study of this phenomenon, should it occur.
Luetje
C M
CM
Midwest Ear Institute, Kansas City, Missouri 64111.
Mediavilla
S J
SJ
Geier
L L
LL
D000368:Aged; D003051:Cochlea / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D005260:Female; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery; D006320:Hearing Tests; D006801:Humans; D009410:Nerve Degeneration; D013064:Speech Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014717:Vertigo / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015837:Vestibular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth / Q000503:physiopathology*