Cochlear implantation after transmastoid labyrinthectomy.

Hearing rehabilitation with an intracochlear prosthesis is well documented in patients who have an intact otic capsule prior to implantation. However, the suitability for implantation of patients who have undergone extensive procedures involving the otic capsule such as labyrinthectomy has not been directly addressed. This report documents a case of a patient deafened by a transmastoid labyrinthectomy who subsequently received a cochlear implant. Postimplantation performance of this patient was compared with the performance of three other postlingual implant recipients. The results suggest that labyrinthectomy is not a contraindication to auditory rehabilitation by a cochlear implant. The implications of implantation in a surgically manipulated otic capsule are discussed.