title: Contralateral cochlear implantation prior to vestibular nerve section for 'drop attacks' in the only hearing ear.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A dilemma occurs in the treatment of second-sided Ménière's disease in the only hearing ear, particularly in patients with severe symptoms such as 'drop attacks'. This paper describes a patient treated with contralateral cochlear implantation prior to vestibular nerve section of the symptomatic ear.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 53-year-old man, with second-sided Ménière's disease and drop attacks in the only serviceable right ear, underwent successful left cochlear implantation 30 years after hearing loss, followed by right vestibular nerve section. The patient achieved control of Ménière's attacks and improved hearing. Although the patient experienced oscillopsia post-operatively, he was satisfied with his improved everyday functioning.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with severe second-sided Ménière's disease in the only hearing ear are a small but difficult treatment group. In those that are suitable for cochlear implantation in the non-serviceable ear, it is suggested that this be employed prior to surgical treatment of the Ménière's symptoms, even if the implanted ear has had no auditory stimulation for many years.
authors: Department of Otolaryngology,Prince of Wales Hospital and Sydney Children's Hospital,New South Wales,Australia.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Shi
authors: Department of Otolaryngology,Prince of Wales Hospital and Sydney Children's Hospital,New South Wales,Australia.
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Kertesz
mesh_terms: D001299:Audiometry; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D007758:Ear, Inner / Q000601:surgery*; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008575:Meniere Disease / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013575:Syncope / Q000601:surgery*; D014717:Vertigo / Q000175:diagnosis; D014725:Vestibular Nerve / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: Cochlear Implant; Hearing Loss; Meniere Disease; Syncope; Vestibular Nerve