Hearing loss in inner ear and systemic autoimmune disease: A systematic review of post‐cochlear implantation outcomes

OBJECTIVES: To assess outcomes following cochlear implantation (CI) in patients with hearing loss secondary to primary or secondary autoimmune inner ear disease (AIED). METHODS: A systematic review and narrative synthesis was completed according to PRISMA guidelines. Databases searched included MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Collection, and ClinicalTrials.gov. No limits were placed on year of publication or language. RESULTS: A total of 551 studies were identified, of which 29 were included after removal of duplicates, and screening the title, abstract, and full text. All except one study were OCEBM grade IV. 114 of 115 patients displayed improvement in hearing following cochlear implantation. With implant use, roughly a third of these patients had hearing that improved over time, a third improved and plateaued, and a third remained stable. There was no additional risk of perioperative complications found in AIED patients compared what is generally accepted in general cochlear implantation, although two episodes of device failure after 6 months were noted, and four patients with secondary AIED displayed poor initial audiological outcomes. CONCLUSION: CI in both primary and secondary AIED provides marked improvement in hearing. Early CI may be a valid management option, provide long‐lasting hearing in patients and reduce the side effects of long‐term systemic immunosuppressants. However, patients should be counseled residual hearing may be lost if there is cochlear ossification or fibrosis which may make implant insertion more traumatic. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA.