Cochlear Implantation in Radiation-Induced Hearing Loss: A Systematic Review.

Objective: Cochlear implantation (CI) has been reported as a treatment modality for radiation-induced sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). However, its efficacy is based on individual reports with no cumulative supporting evidence. Therefore, we conducted the current systematic review to provide cumulative evidence regarding the feasibility and safety of CI in this context.

Databases Reviewed: An online bibliographic search was conducted in PubMed, ProQuest, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science using MeSH-based terms.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted to retrieve both observational and interventional studies that reported the outcomes of CI for patients suffering from radiation-induced SNHL.

Results: We included 12 studies that recruited 88 patients who underwent CI because of radiation-induced SNHL. All included studies reported satisfactory hearing/speech perception outcomes. No serious complications were reported, whereas some manageable adverse events were reported, such as paroxysmal facial spams (n = 1), postauricular wound dehiscence with mastoid cutaneous fistula (n = 1), dehiscence in blind sac closure (n = 1), and electrode exposure (n = 1). Four studies assessed the postoperative quality of life/patient satisfaction, showing improved outcomes.

Conclusion: CI could be considered to be feasible and safe in patients with irradiation-induced SNHL. The adverse events of CI in such cases are manageable. Future studies are needed to be strengthened this context.