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Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology

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Open Access 22-01-2024 | Cochlear Implant | Original Article

Auditory Cortical Plasticity in Patients with Single-Sided Deafness Before and After Cochlear Implantation

Authors: Nicole Peter, Valerie Treyer, Rudolf Probst, Tobias Kleinjung

Published in: Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology | Issue 1/2024

Abstract

Purpose

This study investigated neuroplastic changes induced by postlingual single-sided deafness (SSD) and the effects of a cochlear implantation for the deaf ear. Neural processing of acoustic signals from the normal hearing ear to the brain was studied before and after implantation using a positron emission tomography (PET)/CT scanner.

Methods

Eight patients with postlingual SSD received a cochlear implant (CI) in a prospective clinical trial. Dynamic imaging was performed in a PET/CT scanner using radioactively labeled water ([15O]H2O) to localize changes in the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) with and without an auditory task of logatomes containing speech-like elements without meaningful context. The normal hearing ear was stimulated before implantation and after the use of the cochlear implant for at least 8 months (mean 13.5, range 8.1–26.6). Eight age- and gender-matched subjects with normal hearing on both sides served as healthy control subjects (HCS).

Results

When the normal hearing ear of SSD patients was stimulated before CI implantation, the [15O]H2O-PET showed a more symmetrical rCBF in the auditory regions of both hemispheres in comparison to the HCS. The use of CI increased the asymmetry index (AI) in six of eight patients indicating an increase of activity of the contralateral hemisphere. Non-parametric statistics revealed a significant difference in the AI between patients before CI implantation and HCS (p < .01), which disappeared after CI implantation (p = .195).

Conclusion

The functional neuroimaging data showed a tendency towards normalization of neuronal activity after CI implantation, which supports the effectiveness of CI in SSD patients.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01749592, December 13, 2012.

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Title: Auditory Cortical Plasticity in Patients with Single-Sided Deafness Before and After Cochlear Implantation
Authors: Nicole Peter
Valerie Treyer
Rudolf Probst
Tobias Kleinjung
Publication date: 22-01-2024
Publisher: Springer US
Keywords: Cochlear Implant
Positron Emission Tomography
Published in: Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology / Issue 1/2024
Print ISSN: 1525-3961
Electronic ISSN: 1438-7573
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10162-024-00928-3

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Auditory Cortical Plasticity in Patients with Single-Sided Deafness Before and After Cochlear Implantation

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Trial Registration

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Trial Registration

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