Static balance function in children with cochlear implants

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the static balance function in deaf adolescents with cochlear implants.MethodsWe included 24 adolescents who had received unilateral cochlear implantation for at least 5 years. Each subject underwent stabilometry testing under 4 different conditions: (A) firm surface with eyes open; (B) firm surface with eyes closed; (C) foam pad with eyes open; and (D) foam pad with eyes closed. All of them received tests with their cochlear implant turned on and off. Another 24 age- and sex-matched adolescents with normal hearing were tested in the same way for comparison. Sway velocity and circular area were measured and analyzed.ResultsThe mean sway velocity of the cochlear implant group under conditions A–D was 1.68, 1.98, 2.36, and 5.25 cm/s, respectively, and the mean circular area of the cochlear implant group under conditions A–D was 7.39, 6.68, 12.21, and 34.27 cm2, respectively. Both of the parameters showed statistical significance between the cochlear implant group and the normal hearing group for conditions A, C and D (p < 0.05). Furthermore, there was no significant balance function change among cochlear implant group with their implant “on” and “off”.ConclusionsThis study showed that the static balance function in adolescents with long-term use of cochlear implants was worse than those of normal hearing peers. The difference between the cochlear implant group and normal hearing group was the highest when both visual and somatosensory inputs were disrupted. The postural stability was similar whether or not the cochlear implant was activated.