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Long-term analysis of vestibular function in cochlear implant recipients with enlarged vestibular aqueduct

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 April 2026

Yanqi Wang ,
Fan Li ,
Wan Zhao ,
Jingwu Sun ,
Jiaqiang Sun ,
Ruirui Guan  and
Yongtao Xiao Open the ORCID record for Yongtao Xiao [Opens in a new window]
Yanqi Wang
Affiliation:
School of Medical Technology and Information Engineering, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
Fan Li
Affiliation:
School of Medical Technology and Information Engineering, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
Wan Zhao
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
Jingwu Sun
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
Jiaqiang Sun
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
Ruirui Guan
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
Yongtao Xiao*
Affiliation:
School of Medical Technology and Information Engineering, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
*
Corresponding author: Yongtao Xiao; Email: 20131011@zcmu.edu.cn
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Abstract

Objective

To compare long-term vestibular function in cochlear implant recipients with enlarged vestibular aqueduct and those without inner-ear malformations.

Methods

A comparative analysis was conducted on 53 cochlear implant recipients (27 with enlarged vestibular aqueduct, 26 with no inner-ear malformations). Vestibular function was assessed using caloric testing, vestibular-evoked myogenic potential, the video head impulse test and age-appropriate symptom questionnaires.

Results

Enlarged vestibular aqueduct patients demonstrated significantly better preservation of otolithic function post-implantation, with higher cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potential response rates (56 vs 12 per cent, p = 0.001). Caloric testing showed similar vestibular dysfunction across both groups. Both cohorts exhibited significant asymmetry between implanted and non-implanted ears.

Conclusion

Cochlear implantation impairs vestibular function regardless of cochlear morphology, affecting both otolithic and low-frequency semicircular canal function. However, better saccular function preservation in enlarged vestibular aqueduct patients suggests unique vestibular adaptation, with implications for counselling and rehabilitation.

Keywords

cochlear implantsearinnercochlear implantationvertigo

Information

Type
Main Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 140 , Issue 6 , June 2026 , pp. 626 - 634
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2026. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of J.L.O. (1984) LIMITED.

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Footnotes

Yongtao Xiao takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

‡

This article has been updated since original publication. A notice detailing the change has been published.

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