title: Patients reported outcome post-cochlear implantation: how severe is their dizziness?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The reported prevalence of vestibular dysfunction after cochlear implantation (CI) is varies between different scientific papers. The aim of this study is to determine the reported post-implantation outcome in terms of dizziness, and to measure its impact on quality of life using the Dizziness handicap inventory (DHI).
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective questionnaire based study of postoperative cochlear implant patients. The questionnaire assessed the type and onset of dizziness in addition to the DHI.
  
  
  RESULTS
  122 patients were recruited in this study, which is the largest sample size in the literature reported so far. Dizziness was evident in 45.9% of the population post-CI and in 27% pre-CI. The commonest subtype of the dizziness was unsteadiness followed by lightheadedness. The dizziness was mild in most of the patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although mild, dizziness is a common complaint post-cochlear implantation. An understanding of symptoms helps counsel patients preoperatively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, McGill University, 687 Pine Ave West, Montreal, QC Canada ; Department Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Faisal
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zawawi
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, McGill University, 687 Pine Ave West, Montreal, QC Canada.
authors.forename: Faisal
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Alobaid
authors.affiliation: Department of Audiology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC Canada.
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Leroux
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, McGill University, 687 Pine Ave West, Montreal, QC Canada.
authors.forename: Anthony G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Zeitouni
mesh_terms: D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D004244:Dizziness / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D063868:Patient Outcome Assessment; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015837:Vestibular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology
keywords: Cochlear implants; DHI; Dizziness; Vertigo