Effects of Cochlear Implantation on Tinnitus and Depression

Introduction: Tinnitus is prevalent in 66–88% of cochlear implant users. The reason for this high prevalence is that hearing impairment is the most common cause of tinnitus. Objective: This study aims to determine the effect of cochlear implant and to compare the severity of tinnitus and depression in adult cochlear implant users with tinnitus. Methods: Patients diagnosed with tinnitus filled out the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory and the Beck Depression Inventory during CI candidate evaluation. The audiological follow-up in the present study included only patients suffering from tinnitus before the cochlear implant surgery. This study included only patients who had tinnitus handicap inventory and Beck Depression Inventory clinical records pre- and postoperatively, including 23 adult cochlear implant users (13 males and 10 females) aged 18–76 years. Results and Conclusion: There was a statistically significant decrease in the severity of tinnitus and depression after cochlear implant. As the participants’ tinnitus level and grade decreased, their depression levels also decreased. Depression levels decreased after the use of a cochlear implant compared to before cochlear implantation. Cochlear implantation is currently used only for hearing restoration. However, cochlear implantation may be used in rehabilitation for tinnitus in patients with severe hearing loss and in tinnitus patients. In addition cochlear implantation can be a depression rehabilitation method by reducing tinnitus.