Cochlear implantation in deaf-mute adult with partial optic nerve atrophy

Abstract

Introduction. Congenital deafness together with that acquired at a young age represent important pathological conditions, with an incidence of about 1-3 cases per 1000 live births, being diagnosed relatively late has negative effects on the development of spoken language. Cochlear implant is the most effective method of restoration of auditory function at patients with severe neurosensor y deafness. It is an electronic device that converts sound information into electrical impulses and directly stimulates the auditory nerve. Case statement. Patient C., 26 years old, has double impairment of both hearing and vision diagnosed with "Bilateral sensorineural deafness severe - profound form. Partial optic nerve atrophy”. The patient was considered to be sick since early childhood, after suffering a perinatal cranio-cerebral trauma. As a result of severe hearing and vision impairments, the child presented retardation in neuropsychic development. Thus, in order to improve the patient's quality of life, it was established the necessity of carrying out the cochlear device implantation intervention at the level of the right ear. The preoperative preparation of the patient included clinical and paraclinical examination of organ systems. ORL local status: bilateral otoscopy – wide external auditory canal, tympanic membrane gray, absent perforation; rhinoscopic - nasal mucosa pink-pale, nasal septum located on the midline, nasal turbinates normotrophic; oropharyngoscopic - pink and moist oral mucosa, wet and clean tongue, normotrophic palatine tonsils. Discussions. During the years the presence of visual impairment together with the prelingual sensorineural deafness had have serious repercussions on the development of verbal language and neuro-cognitive evolution of the patient, affecting the quality of his life in all spheres, realizing interpersonal and social interaction through the tactile sense provided by the mother’s hands. Conclusion. However, cochlear implant in adult patients diagnosed with prelingual sensorineural deafness cannot fully recover auditory-verbal development. At the currently examined patient who also presents a decrease in visual acuity – the intervention resulted in an improvement of the quality of the life, giving him possibility of spatial orientation and interaction with society not only through tactile perception but also through auditory perception. pathological conditions, with an incidence of about 1-3 c ases per 1000 live births, being diagnosed relatively late has negative effects on the development of spoken language. Cochlear implant is the most effective method of restoration of auditory f unction at patients with severe neurosensor y deafness. It is an electronic device that converts sound i nformation into electrical impulses and directly stimulates the auditory nerve. Case statement. Patient C., 26 years old, has double impairment of both h earing and vision diagnosed with "Bilateral sensorineural deafness severe - profound form. Partial optic nerve atrophy”. The patient was considered to be sick since early c hildhood, after suffering a perinatal cranio-cerebral trauma. As a result of severe hearing a nd vision impairments, the child presented retardation in neuropsychic development. Thus, in order to i mprove the patient's quality of life, it was established the necessity of carrying out the cochlear de vice implantation intervention at the level of the right ear. The preoperative preparation o f the patient included clinical and paraclinical examination of organ systems. ORL local status: bilateral otoscopy – wide external auditory canal, tympanic membrane gray, absent perforation; rhinoscopic - nas al mucosa pink-pale, nasal septum located on the midline, nasal turbinates normotrophic; oropha ryngoscopic - pink and moist oral mucosa, wet and clean tongue, normotrophic palatine tonsils. Discussions. During the years the presence of visual impairment together with the prelingual sensorineural deafness had have serious repercussions on th e development of verbal language and neuro-cognitive evolution of the patient, affecting the qua lity of his life in all spheres, realizing interpersonal and social interaction through the tactil e sense provided by the mother’s hands. Conclusion. However, cochlear implant in adult patients diagnosed wi th prelingual sensorineural deafness cannot fully recover auditory-verbal development. At the currently examined patient who also presents a decrease in visual acuity – the interven tion resulted in an improvement of the quality of the life, giving him possibility of spatial orientation and interaction with society not only through tactile perception but also through auditory percepti on.