Cochlear implants and deep brain stimulators

Abstract

Objective and Importance

With an aging population and increasing utilization of both cochlear implants (CI) to treat hearing loss and deep brain stimulation (DBS) to treat neurodegenerative movement disorders, more patients will be sequentially implanted with the two devices. As such, understanding both presurgical evaluations and surgical procedures will be of great importance to the treating cochlear implant surgeon and neurosurgeon in optimizing outcomes for both conditions.

Clinical Presentation

Two illustrative cases of sequential CI followed by DBS are reviewed. Relevant pre-, intra-, and postoperative issues are discussed for both DBS following CI surgery and CI following DBS surgery.

Conclusion

Despite the potential for challenges, sequential CI and DBS (and vice versa) can provide substantial benefit to those individuals with severe hearing loss and movement disorders. A thorough understanding of both devices is critical to ensuring optimal outcomes.

Keywords:

• Cochlear implant
• Deep brain stimulation
• Surgery
• Surgical technique
• Surgical outcomes
• Imaging
• Otolaryngology
• Neurosurgery

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Zachary A. Kons

Zachary Kons is a medical student at Virginia Commonwealth University pursuing a career in academic otolaryngology. He is interested in exploring the intersection of otolaryngology, neuroscience, and technology to improve the quality of life for patients with hearing loss and

Kathryn L. Holloway

Dr. Kathryn Holloway is an internationally recognized, board-certified neurosurgeon who has dedicated her life’s work to treating movement disorders through surgery. Patients worldwide have benefitted from the work of Dr. Holloway, who treats debilitating conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease, essential tremor, dystonia, epilepsy and others using delicate surgical procedures.

Daniel H. Coelho

Dr. Daniel H. Coelho is the G. Douglas Hayden Professor of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery Neurosurgery, Physiology and Biophysics at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, where he is the director of Otology and Neurotology. He is the medical director of the VCU Cochlear Implant Center, one of the oldest and largest centers in the United States.