Effects of Cochlear Implantation on Auditory Temporal Processing in Single-Sided Deafness: A Report of Two Cases

Abstract

Background: Individuals with single-sided deafness have difficulty understanding speech in noise and determining sound direction in their daily lives. Cochlear implantation, a globally accepted rehabilitation method, has recently become used in Turkey in patients with single-sided deafness. In this study, the effects of cochlear implants on auditory temporal processing skills, speech-in-noise perception performance, tinnitus, and subjective benefit were reported in two patients with single-sided deafness. Case presentation: The cochlear implant was applied to two children with single-sided deafness with and without inner ear malformation. Speech in noise score, gaps in noise test, duration, and frequency pattern test were used. Also, cochlear implant benefits and the presence of tinnitus were questioned by questionnaires. Speech-in-noise perception performance and auditory temporal processing skills improved in the postoperative period compared to the preoperative period. It was also observed that although the cochlear implant improved the quality of life, motivation for device use decreased in the first 6 months of the postoperative period. Conclusions: Cochlear implantation in individuals with single-sided deafness with and without inner ear malformation is useful in increasing auditory temporal processing skills and understanding speech in noise ability. In addition, cochlear implantation is a useful method to improve quality of life, especially regarding spatial perception, and it did not cause tinnitus in our patients. Selecting an implant model that enables data logging provides an advantage in determining the motivation to use the implants. © 2023, The Author(s).