Performance changes in a bilateral cochlear implant patient with Meniere's Disease and middle-ear dysfunction: a case study for programming considerations.

Background

Meniere's Disease (MD) may present as a complication in the hearing outcomes of patients with hearing loss who are treated with either hearing aids or cochlear implants (CI).

Objective

This case study aims to highlight the course of treatment for MED as well as being inflicted by MD, which was discovered after transferring care from a private practice to an academic medical center for treatment of internal failure of her left device, as indicated by manufacturer recall.Case Presentation: This patient is a long-time user of bilateral cochlear implants who has experienced multiple fluctuations in performance, most notably in her dominant right CI. Pressure changes in patients with middle ear dysfunction (MED) may impact the programming levels.

Results

The patient has shown significant improvement following substantial programming changes in her right CI. She has become more aware of Meniere's attacks and is utilizing available self-adjustment of current parameters. In doing so, she is able to improve her hearing status regardless of the presence of Meniere's attacks through programming changes.