Hearing Improvement After Pain Related to Cochlear Implant Explantation: A Case Report

This study aims to report a cochlear-implanted case who was explanted due to recalcitrant pain at the site of the device, despite various management trials. After explantation, this patient had an unexpected subjective and objective improvements in hearing. The patient reported improved hearing after explantation and was satisfied with using hearing aids. The audiological evaluation of the patient showed not only preserved hearing but also an unexpected hearing improvement. The medical records of the patient were reviewed to retrieve all the relevant data. This case illustrates how pain after cochlear implantation can be severe enough to discourage the patient from undergoing re-implantation. It also shows an unexpected hearing improvement after explantation. Although a human error in audiological evaluation can be the first and most simple possible explanation for this finding, the objective improvement of the patient is highly suggestive of a real hearing improvement. It can be hypothesized that the mechanical or electrical stimulation by the cochlear implant could have led to this hearing improvement.