Publication
Title
Long-term follow-up of hearing preservation in electric-acoustic stimulation patients
Author
Abstract
Background: Hearing preservation (HP) surgery was initiated more than 10 years ago for combined electric and acoustic stimulation (EAS). Preserved residual low-frequency hearing has been demonstrated to improve speech perception in noise as well as music appreciation in EAS users up to 2 years. Multiple study groups aimed to evaluate initial loss of residual hearing (RH) as a consequence of HP surgery. However, after 1 year and 2 years of follow-up, further decline was reported. This study aimed to determine RH, speech perception, and the subjective benefits of EAS 10 years after HP surgery. Subjects and Methods: Nine postlingual EAS partially deaf patients who underwent HP surgery at Antwerp University Hospital were included in this study (11 implanted ears). Hearing preservation (0% = loss of hearing; >0%-25% = minimal HP; >25%-75% = partial HP; >75% = complete HP), speech perception and subjective benefits were evaluated pre-operatively; at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months postoperatively; and annually thereafter. Results: Complete HP was obtained in three of 11 ears; partial HP in five of 11 ears; and minimal HP in two of 11 ears, measured during their most recent follow-up. One subject lost his RH completely across time. The mean rate of HP was 48% (ranging from 6 months up to 10 years postoperatively). Speech perception analysis up to 10 years showed a continuous statistically significant improvement. The maximum subjective benefit was reached 3 months after implantation and subsequently remained statistically significant unchanged for the next 10 years. Conclusion: Long-term HP in EAS users after HP surgery is feasible, although a small continuous decline of HP rate of 3% per year was observed (measured from first fitting up to 6 years postoperative). Nevertheless, a continuous improvement was found in the speech perception results of the EAS users across 10 years. Moreover, the positive subjective benefit, assessed 3 months postoperative, remained stable up to 10 years.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Otology and neurotology. - Philadelphia, Pa.
Publication
Philadelphia, Pa. : 2014
ISSN
1531-7129
DOI
10.1097/MAO.0000000000000538
Volume/pages
35 :10 (2014) , p. 1765-1772
ISI
000345157200029
Pubmed ID
25133472
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 13.01.2015
Last edited 09.10.2023
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