CHANGE OF VESTIBULAR FUNCTION AFTER COCHLEAR IMPLANT
Szirmai A., Ribari O.
Semmeiweis University Medical School, ENT department
Budapest, Hungary
The vestibular system of patients with total deafness was examined before and after the cochlear implant. The authors use a computer -based ENG system with air caloric stimulation. It is very useful for the examination of the operated ear.
Immediately after the operation four patients has few-day long vertigo. In most of the patients the vestibular function of the operated ear was the same as preoperatively. In 10 patients the vestibular function became worse after the cochlear implantation, in 12 patients the postoperative vestibular function became better. The preoperative labyrinth anesthesia changed, and normal or almost normal caloric reaction was registrated in the operated ear. In one of the patients the vestibular function became better not only on the operated ear, but also on the contralateral ear.