French Society of ENT (SFORL) guidelines. Indications for cochlear implantation in adults

Speech Understanding and Subjective Listening Effort in Noise With Different OTEs and Sound Processing Technologies

OBJECTIVE

To determine speech reception thresholds (SRTs) in noise and subjective listening effort (LE) in cochlear implant (CI) recipients for application of three sound processing (SP) technologies with two off-the-ear (OTE) CI sound processors, a fixed moderately directional microphone (Standard), an adaptive directional microphone (Beam), and the spatial noise-reduction setting ForwardFocus, with the Kanso 2 (OTE2), and Beam with the Kanso (OTE1).

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective repeated measures, within-subject design.

SETTING

Single tertiary-referral center.

PATIENTS

Twenty CI recipients with bilateral severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

SRTs were assessed in two spatial configurations with frontal speech and noise from 90-180-270 degrees (S0N90-180-270) or from the CI side (S0NCI). SRTs were obtained for sentences of the Oldenburg sentence test presented in International Collegium of Rehabilitative Audiology (ICRA) noise ICRA5-250. LE for speech understanding in noise was evaluated in S0N90-180-270 and assessed in effort scale categorical units (ESCUs) by using Adaptive Categorical Listening Effort Scaling (ACALES). LEs at 5-dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) were calculated from fitted psychometric curves.

RESULTS

With OTE2 in S0N90-180-270, SRT with ForwardFocus (-4.28 dB SNR) was better than with Beam (-3.13 dB SNR) and Standard (0.43 dB SNR). ForwardFocus showed lower LE5dB (2.61 ESCU) compared with Beam (4.60 ESCU) and Standard (5.32 ESCU). In a comparison of both OTEs in S0N90-180-270 regarding best-performing SP technology, ForwardFocus with OTE2 yielded a better SRT and better LE5dB than Beam with OTE1 (SRT: -1.70 dB SNR; LE5dB: 4.00 ESCU). With OTE2 in S0NCI, SRT was improved with ForwardFocus (-2.78 dB SNR) compared with Beam (-1.23 dB SNR) and Standard (1.83 dB SNR).

CONCLUSION

With respect to SP technology and OTE, CI recipients experience best SRT and lowest LE in S0N90-180-270 when using ForwardFocus with OTE2. ACALES is feasible for assessing subjective LE in CI recipients.

Satisfaction and quality of life in cochlear implant users with long sensory deprivation

PURPOSE

The aim of the study was to verify the level of satisfaction of CI users with long periods of hearing deprivation, highlighting the positive and negative aspects of the use of the device and their quality of life.

METHODS

This is a analytical research, of the type observational cross-sectional study. The study was performed with 24 patients from a private Institute of Otorhinolaryngology. Three surveys were applied: Satisfaction with Amplification in Daily Life (SADL), International Outcome Inventory - Cochlear Implant (IOI - CI) to assess cochlear implant satisfaction and WHOQOL- bref to assess the quality of life. The results in the pre and post lingual groups were compared.

RESULTS

The highest degree of satisfaction was reported with regard to personal image, positive effects, and how the users feel about their CI. The lowest degree of satisfaction was reported regarding the cost-benefit of the CI and the competitive noise. In the WHOQOL-bref assessment, the highest scores were found in physical, psychological and social relations domains. When comparing the results of the surveys, the pre and post-lingual groups showed no difference in relation to the achieved scores.

CONCLUSION

The participants had a high level of satisfaction with the use of cochlear implants. The longer the sensory deprivation time, the greater the degree of satisfaction with the device. The use of the CI electronic device reflects on the individual's quality of life.

Candidacy for Cochlear Implantation in Prelingual Profoundly Deaf Adult Patients

Cochlear implantation is usually not recommended for prelingual profoundly deaf adults, although some of these patients might benefit from it. This study aims to define the candidates for cochlear implantation in this population. This retrospective study reviewed 34 prelingual profoundly deaf patients who had received a cochlear implant at 32 ± 1.7 years old (16−55), with at least 1 year of follow-up. Speech perception and quality of life were assessed before and 3, 6, and 12 months after cochlear implantation, then every year thereafter. According to the word speech intelligibility in quiet (WSI) 1 year after implantation, two groups were identified: good performer (GP) with WSI ≥ 50% (n = 15), and poor performer (PP) with WSI ≤ 40% (n = 19). At the 1 year mark, mean WSI improved by 28 ± 4.6% (−20−100) (p < 0.0001). In GP, the intelligibility for words and sentences, communication and quality of life scales improved. In PP, the communication scale improved, but not auditory performance or quality of life. GP and PP differed pre-operatively in speech production, communication abilities, and WSI in best-aided conditions. In prelingual profoundly deaf adults, a dramatic auditory performance benefit could be expected after cochlear implantation if the patients have some degree of speech intelligibility in aided conditions and have developed oral communication and speech production.

Current demographic and auditory profiles of adult cochlear implant candidates and factors affecting uptake

OBJECTIVES

Despite growth of CI and widening of implantation criteria, penetration rates remain low and the clinical profile of adult CI candidates has not substantially changed. This study evaluated the demographic and auditory profiles of current adult CI candidates and identified factors affecting CI uptake.

DESIGN

Preoperative data from patients who underwent CI candidacy evaluation between 2016-2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Data included demographics, medical reports, audiological results, and reasons for not pursuing implantation. Comparisons between candidates who pursued implantation and those who did not were performed.

STUDY SAMPLE

Ninety-five candidates (54 females), average age 52 years.

RESULTS

Most candidates exhibited post-lingual bilateral hearing loss with mean unaided PTA4 of 105dBHL and monosyllabic word score of 26%. Forty-nine candidates were implanted, and the main reason for not pursuing CI was candidates' reluctance. Candidates that pursued CI were mostly younger females with poorer unaided PTA4. Age was the only significant predictor of CI uptake.

CONCLUSIONS

While current candidates demonstrated greater demographic diversity and better speech perception compared to previous findings, unaided thresholds are still within the profound range. Our findings indicate that eligible candidates face barriers to the utilisation of CI, some of which are modifiable by means of updated candidacy protocols.

Musical Ear Syndrome: Prevalence and characteristics in cochlear implant bearers

INTRODUCTION

Musical Ear Syndrome (MES) is an uncommon phenomenon described as the perception of auditory musical sensations not corresponding to any external stimulus. It seems to be more frequent in case of profound hearing loss. Our objective was to evaluate prevalence, characteristics and risk factors in a population of cochlear implant patients.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted in cochlear implant patients, who were adult (>18 years) in 2020 and underwent cochlear implantation between 1993 and 2019. We analyzed the presence and characteristics of MES.

RESULTS

118 of the 358 patients (33%) perceived or had perceived auditory musical sensations: 71 (19.8%) before, 100 (28%) after, and 53 (14.8%) both before and after implantation. The musical auditory sensations were usually short and well-tolerated, resembling instrumental music, and occurring several times a day. Thirteen patients (11%) considered them intolerable. Fatigue was a triggering factor in 40 patients (33.9%). Personal and medical characteristics, type of implantation, make of implant, etiology and tinnitus did not emerge as risk factors. On the other hand, MES+ patients were significatively younger (56±17.4 years versus 61.9±17.9 years; P=0.0009). Despite the phenomenon, patients were satisfied with implant functioning and subjective auditory performance was not affected.

CONCLUSION

Prevalence of Musical Ear Syndrome was high in cochlear implant patients, and especially in younger subjects. It is essential to improve knowledge of this phenomenon.

Are errors in otorhinolaryngology always a sign of medical malpractice? Review of the literature and new perspectives in the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) era

In medical practice, during certain procedures that usually are not regarded highly demanding, some skill-based errors, that might not be considered as medical malpractice, may occur. In fact, such errors can be caused by factors beyond the physician’s control.A review of Greek case law regarding medical malpractice in otorhinolaryngology was performed to identify cases of lawsuits that concerned medical errors during routine procedures. The analysis of the cases showed that some medical errors may cause serious complications, even if deviation from the standard of medical care is minimal. Thus, in some cases it may be difficult to make a distinction between preventable and unpreventable complications. Certain medical errors from routine medical procedures might be considered unpreventable and, therefore, classified as almost no-fault errors. A brief commentary regarding opportunities to further improve the medical liability system after the SARS-CoV-2 emergency is also given.

Mechanical ear and "blue book" in 1973

Cochlear implant has progressively become an essential treatment for profound hearing loss. The aim of this historical note is to briefly review the very beginnings of this technique, in 1973, with the production of a painting entitled "Mechanical ear" and the first international congress on cochlear implants. In a way, these two events marked the beginning of an antagonism that played a very important role in the development and especially the acceptance of cochlear implants in the multicultural society of the late twentieth century.