Patients with asymmetric or unilateral sensory hearing loss struggle with speech perception in noise and sound source localization due to loss of binaural cues. They also experience disabling tinnitus and reduced quality of life and quality of hearing. A cochlear implant restores binaural hearing in these patients and markedly improves sound localization, speech perception in noise, reduces or eliminates tinnitus, and improves quality of life and hearing. The AAO-HNS endorses cochlear implantation for cases of asymmetric or unilateral sensory hearing loss in adult patients.
Approved April 2023
Important Disclaimer Notice (Updated 7/31/14)
Position statements are approved by the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery or Foundation (AAO-HNS/F) Boards of Directors and are typically generated from AAO-HNS/F committees. Once approved by the Academy or Foundation Board of Directors, they become official position statements and are added to the existing position statement library. In no sense do they represent a standard of care. The applicability of position statements, as guidance for a procedure, must be determined by the responsible physician in light of all the circumstances presented by the individual patient. Adherence to these clinical position statements will not ensure successful treatment in every situation. As with all AAO-HNS/F guidance, this position statement should not be deemed inclusive of all proper treatment decisions or methods of care, nor exclusive of other treatment decisions or methods of care reasonably directed to obtaining the same results. Position statements are not intended to and should not be treated as legal, medical, or business advice.
