Stable benefits of bilateral over unilateral cochlear implantation after two years: A randomized controlled trial

Alice van Zon; Yvette E. Smulders; Inge Stegeman; Geerte G. J. Ramakers; Veronique J. C. Kraaijenga; Simone P. C. Koenraads; Gijsbert A. Van Zanten; Albert B. Rinia; Robert J. Stokroos; Rolien H. Free; Johan H. M. Frijns; Wendy J. Huinck; Emmanuel A. M. Mylanus; Rinze A. Tange; Adriana L. Smit; Hans G. X. M. Thomeer; Vedat Topsakal; Wilko Grolman

doi:10.1002/lary.26239

Stable benefits of bilateral over unilateral cochlear implantation after two years: A randomized controlled trial

Alice van Zon^*, Yvette E. Smulders, Inge Stegeman, Geerte G. J. Ramakers, Veronique J. C. Kraaijenga, Simone P. C. Koenraads, Gijsbert A. Van Zanten, Albert B. Rinia, Robert J. Stokroos, Rolien H. Free, Johan H. M. Frijns, Wendy J. Huinck, Emmanuel A. M. Mylanus, Rinze A. Tange, Adriana L. Smit, Hans G. X. M. Thomeer, Vedat Topsakal, Wilko Grolman

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

Abstract

Objectives/HypothesisTo investigate hearing capabilities and self-reported benefits of simultaneous bilateral cochlear implantation (BiCI) compared with unilateral cochlear implantation (UCI) after a 2-year follow-up and to evaluate the learning effect of cochlear implantees over time.

Study DesignMulticenter randomized controlled trial.

MethodsThirty-eight postlingually deafened adults were included in this study and randomly allocated to either UCI or simultaneous BiCI. Our primary outcome was speech intelligibility in noise, with speech and noise coming from straight ahead (Utrecht-Sentence Test with Adaptive Randomized Roving levels). Secondary outcomes were speech intelligibility in noise with spatially separated sources, speech intelligibility in silence (Dutch phoneme test), localization capabilities and self-reported benefits assessed with different quality of hearing and quality of life (QoL) questionnaires. This article describes the results after 2 years of follow-up.

ResultsWe found comparable results for the UCI and simultaneous BiCI group, when speech and noise were both presented from straight ahead. Patients in the BiCI group performed significantly better than patients in the UCI group, when speech and noise came from different directions (P = .01). Furthermore, their localization capabilities were significantly better. These results were consistent with patients' self-reported hearing capabilities, but not with the questionnaires regarding QoL. We found no significant differences on any of the subjective and objective reported outcomes between the 1-year and 2-year follow-up.

ConclusionsThis study demonstrates important benefits of simultaneous BiCI compared with UCI that remain stable over time. Bilaterally implanted patients benefit significantly in difficult everyday listening situations such as when speech and noise come from different directions. Furthermore, bilaterally implanted patients are able to localize sounds, which is impossible for unilaterally implanted patients.

Level of Evidence1b Laryngoscope, 127:1161-1168, 2017

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1161-1168
Number of pages	8
Journal	Laryngoscope
Volume	127
Issue number	5
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1002/lary.26239
Publication status	Published - May 2017

Keywords

Cochlear implants
cochlear implantation
sound localization
hearing loss
deafness
hearing aids
SOUND LOCALIZATION
SPEECH
HEARING
ADULTS
PERFORMANCE
STATE

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10.1002/lary.26239

Cite this

van Zon, A., Smulders, Y. E., Stegeman, I., Ramakers, G. G. J., Kraaijenga, V. J. C., Koenraads, S. P. C., Van Zanten, G. A., Rinia, A. B., Stokroos, R. J., Free, R. H., Frijns, J. H. M., Huinck, W. J., Mylanus, E. A. M., Tange, R. A., Smit, A. L., Thomeer, H. G. X. M., Topsakal, V., & Grolman, W. (2017). Stable benefits of bilateral over unilateral cochlear implantation after two years: A randomized controlled trial. Laryngoscope, 127(5), 1161-1168. https://doi.org/10.1002/lary.26239

@article{ff62ad03480c45b2bf7ae9718d23d6ce,

title = "Stable benefits of bilateral over unilateral cochlear implantation after two years: A randomized controlled trial",

abstract = "Objectives/HypothesisTo investigate hearing capabilities and self-reported benefits of simultaneous bilateral cochlear implantation (BiCI) compared with unilateral cochlear implantation (UCI) after a 2-year follow-up and to evaluate the learning effect of cochlear implantees over time.Study DesignMulticenter randomized controlled trial.MethodsThirty-eight postlingually deafened adults were included in this study and randomly allocated to either UCI or simultaneous BiCI. Our primary outcome was speech intelligibility in noise, with speech and noise coming from straight ahead (Utrecht-Sentence Test with Adaptive Randomized Roving levels). Secondary outcomes were speech intelligibility in noise with spatially separated sources, speech intelligibility in silence (Dutch phoneme test), localization capabilities and self-reported benefits assessed with different quality of hearing and quality of life (QoL) questionnaires. This article describes the results after 2 years of follow-up.ResultsWe found comparable results for the UCI and simultaneous BiCI group, when speech and noise were both presented from straight ahead. Patients in the BiCI group performed significantly better than patients in the UCI group, when speech and noise came from different directions (P = .01). Furthermore, their localization capabilities were significantly better. These results were consistent with patients' self-reported hearing capabilities, but not with the questionnaires regarding QoL. We found no significant differences on any of the subjective and objective reported outcomes between the 1-year and 2-year follow-up.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates important benefits of simultaneous BiCI compared with UCI that remain stable over time. Bilaterally implanted patients benefit significantly in difficult everyday listening situations such as when speech and noise come from different directions. Furthermore, bilaterally implanted patients are able to localize sounds, which is impossible for unilaterally implanted patients.Level of Evidence1b Laryngoscope, 127:1161-1168, 2017",

keywords = "Cochlear implants, cochlear implantation, sound localization, hearing loss, deafness, hearing aids, SOUND LOCALIZATION, SPEECH, HEARING, ADULTS, PERFORMANCE, STATE",

author = "{van Zon}, Alice and Smulders, {Yvette E.} and Inge Stegeman and Ramakers, {Geerte G. J.} and Kraaijenga, {Veronique J. C.} and Koenraads, {Simone P. C.} and {Van Zanten}, {Gijsbert A.} and Rinia, {Albert B.} and Stokroos, {Robert J.} and Free, {Rolien H.} and Frijns, {Johan H. M.} and Huinck, {Wendy J.} and Mylanus, {Emmanuel A. M.} and Tange, {Rinze A.} and Smit, {Adriana L.} and Thomeer, {Hans G. X. M.} and Vedat Topsakal and Wilko Grolman",

year = "2017",

month = may,

doi = "10.1002/lary.26239",

language = "English",

volume = "127",

pages = "1161--1168",

journal = "Laryngoscope",

issn = "0023-852X",

publisher = "Wiley",

number = "5",

}

van Zon, A, Smulders, YE, Stegeman, I, Ramakers, GGJ, Kraaijenga, VJC, Koenraads, SPC, Van Zanten, GA, Rinia, AB, Stokroos, RJ, Free, RH, Frijns, JHM, Huinck, WJ, Mylanus, EAM, Tange, RA, Smit, AL, Thomeer, HGXM, Topsakal, V & Grolman, W 2017, 'Stable benefits of bilateral over unilateral cochlear implantation after two years: A randomized controlled trial', Laryngoscope, vol. 127, no. 5, pp. 1161-1168. https://doi.org/10.1002/lary.26239

TY - JOUR

T1 - Stable benefits of bilateral over unilateral cochlear implantation after two years

T2 - A randomized controlled trial

AU - van Zon, Alice

AU - Smulders, Yvette E.

AU - Stegeman, Inge

AU - Ramakers, Geerte G. J.

AU - Kraaijenga, Veronique J. C.

AU - Koenraads, Simone P. C.

AU - Van Zanten, Gijsbert A.

AU - Rinia, Albert B.

AU - Stokroos, Robert J.

AU - Free, Rolien H.

AU - Frijns, Johan H. M.

AU - Huinck, Wendy J.

AU - Mylanus, Emmanuel A. M.

AU - Tange, Rinze A.

AU - Smit, Adriana L.

AU - Thomeer, Hans G. X. M.

AU - Topsakal, Vedat

AU - Grolman, Wilko

PY - 2017/5

Y1 - 2017/5

N2 - Objectives/HypothesisTo investigate hearing capabilities and self-reported benefits of simultaneous bilateral cochlear implantation (BiCI) compared with unilateral cochlear implantation (UCI) after a 2-year follow-up and to evaluate the learning effect of cochlear implantees over time.Study DesignMulticenter randomized controlled trial.MethodsThirty-eight postlingually deafened adults were included in this study and randomly allocated to either UCI or simultaneous BiCI. Our primary outcome was speech intelligibility in noise, with speech and noise coming from straight ahead (Utrecht-Sentence Test with Adaptive Randomized Roving levels). Secondary outcomes were speech intelligibility in noise with spatially separated sources, speech intelligibility in silence (Dutch phoneme test), localization capabilities and self-reported benefits assessed with different quality of hearing and quality of life (QoL) questionnaires. This article describes the results after 2 years of follow-up.ResultsWe found comparable results for the UCI and simultaneous BiCI group, when speech and noise were both presented from straight ahead. Patients in the BiCI group performed significantly better than patients in the UCI group, when speech and noise came from different directions (P = .01). Furthermore, their localization capabilities were significantly better. These results were consistent with patients' self-reported hearing capabilities, but not with the questionnaires regarding QoL. We found no significant differences on any of the subjective and objective reported outcomes between the 1-year and 2-year follow-up.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates important benefits of simultaneous BiCI compared with UCI that remain stable over time. Bilaterally implanted patients benefit significantly in difficult everyday listening situations such as when speech and noise come from different directions. Furthermore, bilaterally implanted patients are able to localize sounds, which is impossible for unilaterally implanted patients.Level of Evidence1b Laryngoscope, 127:1161-1168, 2017

AB - Objectives/HypothesisTo investigate hearing capabilities and self-reported benefits of simultaneous bilateral cochlear implantation (BiCI) compared with unilateral cochlear implantation (UCI) after a 2-year follow-up and to evaluate the learning effect of cochlear implantees over time.Study DesignMulticenter randomized controlled trial.MethodsThirty-eight postlingually deafened adults were included in this study and randomly allocated to either UCI or simultaneous BiCI. Our primary outcome was speech intelligibility in noise, with speech and noise coming from straight ahead (Utrecht-Sentence Test with Adaptive Randomized Roving levels). Secondary outcomes were speech intelligibility in noise with spatially separated sources, speech intelligibility in silence (Dutch phoneme test), localization capabilities and self-reported benefits assessed with different quality of hearing and quality of life (QoL) questionnaires. This article describes the results after 2 years of follow-up.ResultsWe found comparable results for the UCI and simultaneous BiCI group, when speech and noise were both presented from straight ahead. Patients in the BiCI group performed significantly better than patients in the UCI group, when speech and noise came from different directions (P = .01). Furthermore, their localization capabilities were significantly better. These results were consistent with patients' self-reported hearing capabilities, but not with the questionnaires regarding QoL. We found no significant differences on any of the subjective and objective reported outcomes between the 1-year and 2-year follow-up.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates important benefits of simultaneous BiCI compared with UCI that remain stable over time. Bilaterally implanted patients benefit significantly in difficult everyday listening situations such as when speech and noise come from different directions. Furthermore, bilaterally implanted patients are able to localize sounds, which is impossible for unilaterally implanted patients.Level of Evidence1b Laryngoscope, 127:1161-1168, 2017

KW - Cochlear implants

KW - cochlear implantation

KW - sound localization

KW - hearing loss

KW - deafness

KW - hearing aids

KW - SOUND LOCALIZATION

KW - SPEECH

KW - HEARING

KW - ADULTS

KW - PERFORMANCE

KW - STATE

U2 - 10.1002/lary.26239

DO - 10.1002/lary.26239

M3 - Article

C2 - 27667732

SN - 0023-852X

VL - 127

SP - 1161

EP - 1168

JO - Laryngoscope

JF - Laryngoscope

IS - 5

ER -