The Long-Term Effect of Cochlear Implantation on Tinnitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Objective: This systematic review investigates the long-term effect of cochlear implantation (CI) on clinical outcomes in tinnitus patients with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). Database Sources: PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception to 30 April 2024. Manual searches of reference lists supplemented these searches when necessary. Review Methods: Original studies included in the meta-analysis had to contain comparative pre- and postoperative data for SNHL patients who underwent CI. Outcomes measured were the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and Tinnitus Questionnaire (TQ). Results: A total of 28 studies comprising 853 patients showed significant tinnitus improvement after CI: THI mean difference (MD) −14.02 [95%CI −15.29 to −12.76, p p p p p = 0.02). Conclusions: Cochlear implantation substantially improves tinnitus in patients with hearing loss, though the effect may diminish over time. Further research is needed to confirm these findings.

Keywords

• tinnitus
• cochlear implantation
• CI
• curation
• meta-analysis