Somatosensory phenomena after multichannel cochlear implantation in prelingually deaf adults

Objectives: Central auditory system development is thought to be dependent on normal auditory nerve excitation. Central auditory disoganization may di ffer between prelingual and postlingual deafness. One possible clinical man ifestation of such central auditory disorganization is somatosensory percep tion with cochlear implant stimulation. The purpose of this study was to in vestigate the incidence and characteristics of somatosensory phenomena in p relingually and postlingually deafened adult cochlear implant subjects. Study Design: The study design was a retrospective analysis. Setting: The study was performed at an academic tertiary referral center, Patients: This study included 32 adult multichannel cochlear implant recipi ents. Main Outcome Measures: Subjective patient reporting of sensory perception a fter cochlear implant stimulation was reviewed. Results: All 10 prelingually deaf subjects noted somatosensory phenomena di stant from the implanted ear (e.g., chest, abdomen) on implant stimulation. These sensations resolved gradually for all patients. No subject deafened after the age of 2 years reported somatosensory perceptions. Conclusions: Somatosensory phenomena experienced by prelingually deafened a dults suggest that disorganization of central auditory system pathways is m ore severe in these individuals. Earlier auditory deprivation appears to pr oduce greater central auditory alterations, and perceptible crossover betwe en somatosensory and auditory signals may be the end result.