https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3465-9386
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Abstract
Objective
To investigate retrospectively the frequency of usage of bimodal stimulation among cochlear implant (CI) users, as well its clinical benefit relative to unilateral use.
Design
All subjects had been monitored with the clinical Minimal Outcome Measurements test battery.
Study samples
103 adults with bilateral postlingual profound sensorineural hearing loss and unilateral CI use were extracted from the local database. These were divided into two groups: those who only used a CI and those who used bimodal stimulation.
Results
The preoperative contralateral residual hearing in the bimodal group was significantly better than that of the CI-only group. In both groups, speech perception in quiet and in noise improved after CI, with no significant difference between postoperative unimodal conditions. For the bimodal group, an additional significant improvement was found for the bimodal condition compared to the unimodal.
Conclusion
Given the observed auditory benefit of bimodal stimulation in comparison to unimodal stimulation and given the finding that degree of residual hearing is not correlated with bimodal benefits, it is recommended to encourage CI recipients to continue contralateral HA use after CI. As a result of expanding CI criteria worldwide, the population of bimodal users is expected to grow in the near future.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank Patrick Connolly (MED-EL) for writing assistance with the manuscript.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).