Timing of cochlear implantation in large vestibular aqueduct syndrome–a retrospective cohort analysis

IntroductionLarge vestibular aqueduct syndrome (LVAS) typically manifests fluctuating, progressive, or sudden hearing loss. Cochlear implantation (CI) is a critical intervention for LVAS patients when hearing aids (HA) no longer confer sufficient benefit. However, determining the optimal timing for...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Xiao Liu, Wanting Huang, Yunxiu Wang, Jingjing Xu, Lulu Xie, Lin Liu, Jia Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-03-01
Series:Frontiers in Neurology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1562198/full
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849389793437286400
author Xiao Liu
Wanting Huang
Yunxiu Wang
Jingjing Xu
Lulu Xie
Lin Liu
Jia Chen
author_facet Xiao Liu
Wanting Huang
Yunxiu Wang
Jingjing Xu
Lulu Xie
Lin Liu
Jia Chen
author_sort Xiao Liu
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionLarge vestibular aqueduct syndrome (LVAS) typically manifests fluctuating, progressive, or sudden hearing loss. Cochlear implantation (CI) is a critical intervention for LVAS patients when hearing aids (HA) no longer confer sufficient benefit. However, determining the optimal timing for CI remains challenging due to the heterogeneous and unpredictable nature of hearing loss progression, particularly when audiological criteria for CI are met, and HA can still provide benefits. This study aimed to address these complexities by analyzing real-world data on the timing of CI and clinical decision-making processes in pediatric LVAS patients.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study reviewed the medical records of 74 pediatric patients (<18 years) with LVAS who underwent CI at a tertiary care hospital in China between 2010 and 2023. Clinical data, including newborn hearing screening (NBHS) results, methods of hearing loss identification, hearing levels at the initial audiological assessment (IAA), and patterns of hearing loss progression, were analyzed. Additionally, key milestones were evaluated, including age at hearing loss identification, IAA, and CI, and the durations between these events.ResultsThe median age at CI was 4.9 years (IQR: 3.0–6.8), with a median duration from IAA to CI of 2.9 years (IQR: 1.6–5.2). Patients identified through NBHS underwent CI earlier than those identified through poor response to sound or language learning difficulties. Moreover, patients with poor performance at IAA had an earlier age at CI and shorter duration from IAA to CI. CI timing was comparable among different hearing loss progression patterns. Finally, among patients meeting CI criteria but still benefiting from HA, while those who directly underwent CI had an earlier age at implantation, their interval from IAA to CI was similar to those who initially underwent HA fitting.ConclusionThe majority of LVAS patients experience progressive hearing loss and undergo CI during early childhood. Failure of NBHS and poor auditory performance at IAA are indicative of rapid hearing deterioration. Once audiological criteria for CI are met, prolonged observation appears unnecessary. Nevertheless, further prospective longitudinal studies are warranted to refine the timing and decision-making process.
format Article
id doaj-art-2876cadbfddd486bbd1ade01f36709a4
institution Kabale University
issn 1664-2295
language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Neurology
spelling doaj-art-2876cadbfddd486bbd1ade01f36709a42025-08-20T03:41:51ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Neurology1664-22952025-03-011610.3389/fneur.2025.15621981562198Timing of cochlear implantation in large vestibular aqueduct syndrome–a retrospective cohort analysisXiao Liu0Wanting Huang1Yunxiu Wang2Jingjing Xu3Lulu Xie4Lin Liu5Jia Chen6Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Radiology, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, ChinaIntroductionLarge vestibular aqueduct syndrome (LVAS) typically manifests fluctuating, progressive, or sudden hearing loss. Cochlear implantation (CI) is a critical intervention for LVAS patients when hearing aids (HA) no longer confer sufficient benefit. However, determining the optimal timing for CI remains challenging due to the heterogeneous and unpredictable nature of hearing loss progression, particularly when audiological criteria for CI are met, and HA can still provide benefits. This study aimed to address these complexities by analyzing real-world data on the timing of CI and clinical decision-making processes in pediatric LVAS patients.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study reviewed the medical records of 74 pediatric patients (<18 years) with LVAS who underwent CI at a tertiary care hospital in China between 2010 and 2023. Clinical data, including newborn hearing screening (NBHS) results, methods of hearing loss identification, hearing levels at the initial audiological assessment (IAA), and patterns of hearing loss progression, were analyzed. Additionally, key milestones were evaluated, including age at hearing loss identification, IAA, and CI, and the durations between these events.ResultsThe median age at CI was 4.9 years (IQR: 3.0–6.8), with a median duration from IAA to CI of 2.9 years (IQR: 1.6–5.2). Patients identified through NBHS underwent CI earlier than those identified through poor response to sound or language learning difficulties. Moreover, patients with poor performance at IAA had an earlier age at CI and shorter duration from IAA to CI. CI timing was comparable among different hearing loss progression patterns. Finally, among patients meeting CI criteria but still benefiting from HA, while those who directly underwent CI had an earlier age at implantation, their interval from IAA to CI was similar to those who initially underwent HA fitting.ConclusionThe majority of LVAS patients experience progressive hearing loss and undergo CI during early childhood. Failure of NBHS and poor auditory performance at IAA are indicative of rapid hearing deterioration. Once audiological criteria for CI are met, prolonged observation appears unnecessary. Nevertheless, further prospective longitudinal studies are warranted to refine the timing and decision-making process.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1562198/fullcochlear implantationlarge vestibular aqueduct syndromeenlarged vestibular aqueductintervention criteriadecision-makingnewborn hearing screening
spellingShingle Xiao Liu
Wanting Huang
Yunxiu Wang
Jingjing Xu
Lulu Xie
Lin Liu
Jia Chen
Timing of cochlear implantation in large vestibular aqueduct syndrome–a retrospective cohort analysis
Frontiers in Neurology
cochlear implantation
large vestibular aqueduct syndrome
enlarged vestibular aqueduct
intervention criteria
decision-making
newborn hearing screening
title Timing of cochlear implantation in large vestibular aqueduct syndrome–a retrospective cohort analysis
title_full Timing of cochlear implantation in large vestibular aqueduct syndrome–a retrospective cohort analysis
title_fullStr Timing of cochlear implantation in large vestibular aqueduct syndrome–a retrospective cohort analysis
title_full_unstemmed Timing of cochlear implantation in large vestibular aqueduct syndrome–a retrospective cohort analysis
title_short Timing of cochlear implantation in large vestibular aqueduct syndrome–a retrospective cohort analysis
title_sort timing of cochlear implantation in large vestibular aqueduct syndrome a retrospective cohort analysis
topic cochlear implantation
large vestibular aqueduct syndrome
enlarged vestibular aqueduct
intervention criteria
decision-making
newborn hearing screening
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1562198/full
work_keys_str_mv AT xiaoliu timingofcochlearimplantationinlargevestibularaqueductsyndromearetrospectivecohortanalysis
AT wantinghuang timingofcochlearimplantationinlargevestibularaqueductsyndromearetrospectivecohortanalysis
AT yunxiuwang timingofcochlearimplantationinlargevestibularaqueductsyndromearetrospectivecohortanalysis
AT jingjingxu timingofcochlearimplantationinlargevestibularaqueductsyndromearetrospectivecohortanalysis
AT luluxie timingofcochlearimplantationinlargevestibularaqueductsyndromearetrospectivecohortanalysis
AT linliu timingofcochlearimplantationinlargevestibularaqueductsyndromearetrospectivecohortanalysis
AT jiachen timingofcochlearimplantationinlargevestibularaqueductsyndromearetrospectivecohortanalysis