Utility of electronystagmography in the prediction of post-operative outcome following cochlear implantation

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between pre-operative electronystagmography and videonystagmography test results and post-operative outcomes in dizziness, auditory sensitivity and speech recognition. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed. Auditory sensitivity and speech perception ability were tested pre- and post-operatively in 37 adult cochlear implant recipients. Auditory sensitivity was evaluated using either pure tones (for testing with earphones) or frequency-modulated warble tones (for sound-field testing). Speech perception ability was evaluated using Northwestern University Auditory Test Number 6. RESULTS: No correlation was found between pre-operative electronystagmography test results and post-operative subjective dizziness. However, pre-operative electronystagmography testing and post-operative hearing sensitivity as measured by warble tone average (dB HL) correlated significantly at six months or later after cochlear implant activation (r ≥ -0.34, n = 34, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study, which has a level of evidence 4, demonstrates that pre-operative electronystagmography testing has a potential use in predicting post-operative outcomes in hearing sensitivity following cochlear implantation. However, larger studies are needed to confirm this novel finding.