Wideband Tympanometry in Children with Severe to Profound Hearing Loss with and Without Cochlear Implant: A Comparison Study

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the differences in wideband tympanometry (WBT) among normal-hearing children and children with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), with or without cochlear implantation. It also aimed to compare the effects of different electrode types on WBT. The study included normal hearing group, non-implanted SNHL group and unilateral cochlear implantation group, each with twenty participants. Each participant underwent WBT in the frequency range of 226-8000 Hz using Interacoustics Titan Suite IMP440/WBT440 equipment, and the findings were compared within and between the groups. The implant ears (CI ears) of children with cochlear implantation exhibited lower absorbance in the low-frequency region, than the other two groups and their non-implant ears. Further, the CI ears showed higher absorbance than their non-implant ears and ears of SNHL group in the mid-to-high frequency region. However, there was no significant difference between the two electrode types. These findings have clinical implications as they highlight distinctions in WBT results following cochlear implantation compared to sensorineural hearing loss without cochlear implants. This study opens avenues for further research into the potential contribution of middle ear changes to understand the findings of other tests requiring an air-conduction route for the inner ear stimulation.