Cochlear Implant Outcomes in Patients With TMTC2 -Associated Sensorineural Hearing Loss and Auditory Neuropathy/Auditory Dys-Synchrony.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the outcomes of cochlear implantation in patients with TMTC2 -associated sensorineural hearing loss and auditory neuropathy/auditory dys-synchrony.

Patients: Adult and pediatric cochlear implant (CI) patients followed in an academic center who tested positive for TMTC2 genetic variant rs35725509.

Intervention: Cochlear implantation.

Main outcome measures: Speech perception scores in quiet.

Results: Ten CI patients were identified with TMTC2 variant rs35725509 out of 157 patients who underwent genetic testing (i.e., 6.3% of patients tested). All demonstrated progressive, bilateral hearing loss with severe-to-profound audiometric thresholds preoperatively. Pre-CI and 1-year post-CI speech recognition percent correct scores were compared. Post-CI speech perception (mean 61.0%, standard deviation 31.4%) was significantly higher than pre-CI speech perception (mean 21.0%, standard deviation 27.0%) ( p = 0.002). Individually, 9 of the 10 subjects experienced significant improvements in speech perception pre- to post-CI ( p < 0.05). Electrically evoked compound action potential measures were available for five patients, and all showed normal electrically evoked compound action potential thresholds.

Conclusion: Patients with TMTC2 -associated sensorineural hearing loss and auditory neuropathy/auditory dys-synchrony have significantly improved speech perception outcomes with cochlear implantation and should be considered candidates for this intervention if there are no other contraindications.