Objective: The aim of this study was to report the effect of unilateral cochlear implantation to vestibular system using vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) by air-conduction in a sample of children aged less than 5 years.
Materials: This study consisted of 10 children (6 boys and 4 girls), who underwent cochlear implantation surgery at our clinic, and 8 normal hearing children (5 boys and 3 girls) matched for age. The VEMPs were performed before, 10 days, and 6 months after surgery. Both the implanted and unimplanted ears of each child were evaluated, with the cochlear implant both off and on.
Results: Preoperatively, six (60%) children had abnormal VEMPs responses on both ears. In the postoperative sessions, no child showed any VEMPs response on the implanted side. The VEMPs were not recorded on the unimplanted side either, except for one case. At 6 months, the VEMPs response on the unimplanted side of three children became normal when the cochlear implant was on, and in two children with the device off.
Conclusion: In the postoperative 6-month-period, the disappearance of VEMPs suggests that the saccule of children can be extensively damaged following cochlear implantation. A recovery of VEMPs can take place on the unimplanted side, with the cochlear implant both on and off. Despite this saccular injury, the absence of clinical signs in children could be explained by their ability to effectively compensate for such vestibular deficits.
Keywords: Children; Cochlear implantation; Saccule; Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials; Vestibular function.
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