Section: 
Otiology
OtiologyBinaural cochlear implantation in adults: our experience
S. B. Sugarova (1), D. S. Klyachko (2), V. A. Tanaschishina (3), A. E. Orekhova (4), P. A. Luntovskaya (5)
(1), (2), (3), (4), (5) Saint Petersburg Research Institute of Ear, Throat, Nose and Speech, Saint Petersburg 190013, Russian Federation
UDK: УДК 616.283.1-089.843-053.8
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18692/1810-4800-2025-4-108-114
ABSTRACT
Abstract. Currently, cochlear implantation allows for successful rehabilitation of individuals with profound bilateral chronic sensorineural hearing loss and deafness. Rehabilitation of adult patients plays a crucial role in their integration into the socioeconomic environment and the restoration of work capacity. As a result, there is an increasing number of adult patients undergoing binaural cochlear implantation. The two devices help recreate the natural mechanism of sound perception. Consequently, this provides numerous benefits for patients, such as improved speech intelligibility, the ability to distinguish sounds in noisy environments and in the presence of several speakers, determination of the direction of the sound source. All this eliminates the need to make additional efforts to understand surrounding sounds and makes listening to speech more comfortable. Methods and patients. Given the relevance of this issue, a study was conducted at the Saint Petersburg Research Institute of Ear, Nose, Throat, and Speech among 15 binaurally implanted patients over the age of 18. Results. In 53% of cases, speech intelligibility of 75±10% was achieved in a closed-set speech recognition test on the “new ear” during the first rehabilitation. During a repeated course of auditory-verbal rehabilitation, 85±12% speech intelligibility was achieved in 53% of cases during monaural testing of the «new» ear. In 87% of cases, speech audiometry in a free sound field showed 100% speech intelligibility in binaural testing. Patients reported improved sound perception, the ability to localize the sound source, and advantages of using two speech processors in noisy environments. Conclusion. Binaural cochlear implantation is a highly promising and modern rehabilitation solution for adult patients with profound bilateral chronic sensorineural hearing loss, in cases where hearing aids are ineffective, and for those with deafness while maintaining the cortical plasticity of the brain.
Publication date:
13.08.2025
Keywords:
cochlear implantation, bilateral hearing For citation:
Sugarova S. B., Klyachko D. S., Tanaschishina V. A., Orekhova A. E., Luntovskaya P. A. Binaural cochlear implantation in adults: our experience. Russian Otorhinolaryngology. 2025;24(4):108-114. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.18692/1810-4800-2025-4-108-114