title: Cochlear implantation in sudden bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.
abstract: Although 1-4% of all cases of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) are bilateral, all such patients reported to date have experienced significant recovery of hearing in at least one ear. We report a case of profound, bilateral idiopathic SSHL without recovery which was treated with cochlear implantation; the first such report to our knowledge. The patient achieved open-set spondee recognition. Individuals with sudden bilateral hearing loss in whom treatable causes have been eliminated may benefit from cochlear implantation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, St. Louis University School of Medicine, MO 63110-0250, USA.
authors.forename: E W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Sargent
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Beck
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D001299:Audiometry; D019929:Cochlear Implantation; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006312:Hearing Loss, Bilateral / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged