title: The role of vestibular caloric tests in cochlear implantation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Vestibular function tests are often undertaken before cochlear implantation, in part to help select the side of surgery. The authors aim to determine whether implantation on the side of better vestibular function leads to greater perception of dizziness by patients than implantation on the side of worse or similar function.
  
  
  METHODS
  Historical cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary cochlear implantation center.
  
  
  METHODS
  The records of 177 adult recipients of a unilateral cochlear implant were reviewed retrospectively in 2 groups. Group A included patients with an implant in the ear with worse or similar caloric responses. Group B included patients with an implant in the ear with the stronger caloric response. All patients underwent preoperative bithermal caloric testing: a clinically significant difference was defined by a 20% lateral canal paresis. They were assessed postoperatively by the Dizziness Handicap Inventory and supplementary questions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-seven percent of both groups reported dizziness in the first 7 days postoperatively. At 2 months, 20% of group A and 34% of group B experienced some dizziness. Fourteen percent of group A and 10% of group B felt that cochlear implantation had resulted in impaired balance. The Dizziness Handicap Inventory scores of 86% of group A (median score 0) and 76% of group B (median score 10) corresponded with low handicap. None of these results differed significantly between groups A and B.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although cochlear implantation may result in dizziness, it is almost always short-lived and mild, even when the ear with the stronger caloric response is implanted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, UK.
authors.forename: Amit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Parmar
authors.forename: Julian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Savage
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wilkinson
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hajioff
authors.forename: Desmond A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Nunez
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Robinson
mesh_terms: D002150:Caloric Tests; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004244:Dizziness / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires