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Open Access Case Report

Curing tinnitus with a Cochlear Implant in a patient with unilateral sudden deafness: a case report

Tobias Kleinjung1,3*, Thomas Steffens1,3, Juergen Strutz1,3 and Berthold Langguth2,3

Author Affiliations

1 Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany

2 Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstrasse 84, 93053 Regensburg, Germany

3 Interdisciplinary Tinnitus Treatment and Research Center, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstrasse 84, 93053 Regensburg, Germany

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Cases Journal 2009, 2:7462 doi:10.1186/1757-1626-2-7462

Published: 18 May 2009

Abstract

Cochlear implantation is a routine procedure for patients with bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss. Some reports demonstrated a suppression of tinnitus as a side-effect after implantation. We describe the case of a 55-year-old man suffering from severe right-sided tinnitus in consequence of sudden right-sided deafness. Multiple therapeutic efforts including intravenous steroids and tympanoscopy with grafting of the round window remained unsuccessful. One year after onset of symptoms right-sided cochlear implantation was performed, which resulted in a complete abolishment of tinnitus after activating the implant. Severe unilateral tinnitus after sudden deafness might represent a new indication for cochlear implantation.