Long‐term audiologic outcomes after cochlear implantation for single‐sided deafness

Objectives To evaluate the long‐term audiometric outcomes, sound localization abilities, binaural benefits, and tinnitus assessment of subjects with cochlear implant (CI) after a diagnosis of unilateral severe‐to‐profound hearing loss. Method The study group consisted of 60 (mean age 52 years, range 19–84) subjects with profound hearing loss in one ear and normal to near‐normal hearing in the other ear who underwent CI. Data analysis included pre‐ and postoperative Consonant‐Nucleus‐Consonant (CNC) Word scores, AzBio Sentence scores, pure tone thresholds, sound localization, and Iowa Tinnitus Handicap Questionnaire scores. Results Preoperative average duration of deafness was 3.69 years (standard deviation 4.31), with an average follow‐up time of 37.9 months (range 1–87). CNC and AzBio scores significantly improved (both P