Analysis of hearing loss after shunt placement in patients with normal-pressure hydrocephalus.
OBJECTIVE
Following shunt placement for treatment of normal-pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), several patients suffered hearing loss. The authors undertook a study to analyze this outcome.


METHODS
Sixteen patients in whom NPH was diagnosed were treated by placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Their hearing was assessed pre- and postoperatively by using pure tone audiometry. Two thirds of the ears tested showed a postoperative hearing loss of more than 10 dB. Recovery of the hearing loss occurred 6 to 12 weeks after shunt placement in 75% of the ears examined.


CONCLUSIONS
Although shunt insertion for treatment of NPH results in a decrease in hearing, most of the loss can be recovered.
van Veelen-Vincent
M L
ML
Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Rotterdam, The Netherlands. vanveelen@neur.azr.nl
Delwel
E J
EJ
Teeuw
R
R
Kurt
E
E
de Jong
D A
DA
Brocaar
M P
MP
Pauw
B K
BK
Avezaat
C J
CJ
van Zanten
B G
BG
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D005260:Female; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000209:etiology; D003639:Hearing Loss, Sudden / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D006850:Hydrocephalus, Normal Pressure / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013353:Subdural Effusion / Q000209:etiology; D017287:Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt