The effect of cochlear implantation on tinnitus in patients with bilateral hearing loss: A systematic review.
Level 3 - non-randomized controlled study
Systematic review of lower-level observational studies without randomized trials
PubMed 26153087 · doi:10.1002/lary.25370
What was done
A systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and Embase was conducted up to January 13, 2015, to evaluate the effect of cochlear implantation on tinnitus in adults with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. Studies reporting pre- and postimplantation tinnitus outcomes measured with a questionnaire, with moderate or high directness of evidence and low or moderate risk of bias, were included. Ten articles out of 786 retrieved met eligibility criteria.
What was found
Overall mean tinnitus scores decreased after implantation across the 10 included studies. Tinnitus scores decreased in 25% to 72% of patients, and complete suppression occurred in 8% to 45%. Tinnitus remained stable in 0% to 36%, and increased in 0% to 25%. In patients without preoperative tinnitus, new tinnitus induction occurred in 0% to 10%.
Why it matters
The findings show that while cochlear implantation frequently reduces or resolves tinnitus in bilateral hearing loss, patients must be counseled that tinnitus can worsen or be newly induced.
Limits
There was a lack of high-level evidence studies such as randomized controlled trials. Total participant sample size, specific questionnaire tools, follow-up durations, and pooled effect estimates were not reported in the abstract.
Cited by
- supports Among people with severe or profound hearing loss and tinnitus who undergo cochlear implantation, 75% experience tinnitus improvement, and in 10% it resolves completely.