Evaluation of Saccular Function Pre-Post Cochlear Implant Surgery Using VEMPs

Objectives: The aim of present study was evaluation of saccule function in cochlear implant candidates with severe to profound sensory neural hearing loss Before and after cochlear implantation Methods: In this study ۳۵ cochlear implant (CI) candidates with bilateral severe to profound sensory neural hearing loss before and about ۳۰ days after cochlear implant and ۲۰ normal-hearing cases as a control group underwent VEMP test. Both groups were matched based on gender and age. Results: VEMP responses were absent bilaterally in ۱۰ out of ۳۵ patients. ۴ patients were excluded from the study because they did not receive CI during present study. From ۲۱ remaining patients, ۵ cases lost VEMP responses in their implanted ear after surgery. In control group, VEMP responses were present bilaterally. Discussion: The results of present study indicate that saccule dysfunction in CI candidates is extremely probable and this is possible that saccule get impaired after CI.