Predicting speech perception outcomes following cochlear implantation in adults with unilateral deafness or highly asymmetric hearing loss.
OBJECTIVE
Unilateral deafness and highly asymmetric hearing loss can impair listening abilities in everyday situations, create substantial audiological handicap, and reduce overall quality of life. Preliminary evidence suggests that cochlear implantation may be effective in reversing some of these detrimental effects. Patient-level data from existing studies were re-analysed to explore potential factors that may be predictive of improved speech perception scores following implantation.


METHODS
Logistic regression modelling examined whether improved speech perception following implantation under various listening conditions was related to the duration of deafness of the severe-to-profoundly deaf ear and/or the level of hearing in the better ear.


RESULTS
Patients with a shorter duration of deafness were more likely to improve in listening conditions that created a less favourable SNR at the implanted ear than the non-implanted ear. Those with more residual hearing in the better ear were more likely to improve in the listening condition that created a less favourable SNR at that ear.


CONCLUSIONS
The analysis suggests that characteristics of both ears may be relevant when seeking to identify those candidates who are likely to obtain benefit to speech perception following cochlear implantation.
a National Institute for Health Research Nottingham Hearing Biomedical Research Unit , 113 The Ropewalk, Nottingham NG1 5DU , UK.|b Otology and Hearing Group, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, School of Medicine , University of Nottingham , UK.
Pádraig T
PT
Kitterick
a National Institute for Health Research Nottingham Hearing Biomedical Research Unit , 113 The Ropewalk, Nottingham NG1 5DU , UK.|b Otology and Hearing Group, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, School of Medicine , University of Nottingham , UK.
Laura
L
Lucas
D000328:Adult; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D005260:Female; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D046088:Hearing Loss, Unilateral / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006320:Hearing Tests; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013067:Speech Perception; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Asymmetric hearing loss; Binaural hearing; Cochlear implantation; Duration of deafness; Single-sided deafness; Speech perception; Unilateral deafness