title: Cochlear implant in patients with sudden unilateral sensorineural hearing loss and associated tinnitus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the efficacy of cochlear implantation in patients with unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss and associated disabling tinnitus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten patients suffering from severe-to-profound sudden hearing loss and tinnitus in the affected ear received implants. The sample was comprised of 4 men and 6 women, with a mean age of 42.7 years (range 34-62) at implantation. The severity of the tinnitus was evaluated with the Spanish validated version of the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and a visual analogue scale. These assessments were obtained before and after implantation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Tinnitus suppression was observed in 2 patients. In 7 cases, we observed an improvement in the THI, in different degrees, and 1 patient remained without changes. Tinnitus worsening was not found in the series studied.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tinnitus reduction following cochlear implantation can be explained by several mechanisms, such as habituation, acoustic masking, direct stimulation of the cochlear nerve and reorganisation of cortical areas. Even though further research is required, cochlear implantation is an effective method for the treatment of disabling tinnitus in patients with severe-to-profound unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Otorrinolaringología, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario Insular Materno-Infantil, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, España.
authors.forename: Ángel
authors.initials: Á
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.forename: Rubén
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Polo
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Masgoret
authors.forename: Ovidio
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Artiles
authors.forename: Isidoro
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lisner
authors.forename: María L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Zaballos
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Moreno
authors.forename: Ángel
authors.initials: Á
authors.lastname: Osorio
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D005260:Female; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*