Objective: The aim of this study was to analyse performance of cochlear implants in a retrospective series of adults with postlingually in order to search for predictive factors and identify complications.
Methods: Between 1990 and 2003, 134 adult patients were implanted: 129 patients on one side and 5 patients on both sides. Hearing benefit at 6, 12, 24 and 36 months and performance at 12 months were analyzed as function of the etiology, age at implantation, lipreading and speech coding strategy.
Results: Compared to performances before implantation, cochlear implants provided significant and rapid improvement at 6 months (p<0.0001). The results were not correlated with age at implantation, etiology or lipreading ability before implantation. Performances were worse in patients with meningitis (p<0.01), but the percentage of improvement was similar between the different etiologies. Major complications were rare: one case of regressive postoperative facial nerve weakness.
Conclusion: Cochlear implants provide significant and rapid improvement, with low morbidity. Results are not correlated with age at implantation, etiology or lipreading ability.