Cochlear implant electrode position has an impact on the rate of tinnitus suppression and generation.
Suppression of pre-operative tinnitus or a generation of a new tinnitus in cochlear implantees is a known effect of cochlear implantation. The aim of the current study was to evaluate different cochlear implant electrode positions and their relationship with tinnitus suppression and tinnitus generation.
This study retrospectively evaluated four groups of CI recipients with radiologically evaluated electrode positions in relation to their subjective tinnitus quality, as evaluated by an analogue loudness scale (ALS) and a questionnaire. Group 1 consisted of 19 patients with a scalar change of the electrode position. Group 2 consisted of 18 patients with a scala tympani position and a perimodiolar electrode. Group 3 consisted of 10 patients with a scala tympani position and a lateral wall electrode. Group 4 consisted of eight patients with a scala vestibuli position.
An overall tinnitus suppression rate of 45.9% and a generation of a new tinnitus or the deterioration of an existing one of 5.6% were observed. A significant difference in tinnitus suppression was found between groups 1 and groups 2, 3, and 4 in tinnitus suppression and tinnitus generation.