Characteristics of electrically evoked auditory brainstem response in children with large vestibular aqueduct syndrome after cochlear implantation

Background The vestibular aqueduct (VA) width may affect the auditory conduction pathway of large vestibular aqueduct syndrome (LVAS) children. Objective Analyzing the electrically evoked auditory brainstem response (EABR) after cochlear implantation (CI) in severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) children with LVAS. Materials and methods Fifty-four children with SNHL who received CI were selected, including 21 children with LVAS and 33 children without inner ear malformations (IEMs). The VA width was measured in LVAS children. The post-operative EABRs were recorded in all children. Results For the LVAS group, the VA width was positively correlated with wave III (eIII) latency of EABR at the No. 2 electrode (E2), E5, E8, and E11, the VA width was positively correlated with wave V (eV) latency of EABR at E2, E5, E8, and E11. Only the eV latency of E2 showed a significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion and significance SNHL children with LVAS and no IEMs have similar conduction of the auditory pathway. In the LVAS group, the conduction of the auditory pathway becomes better with the decrease of VA width. Rational use of post-operative EABRs and the measurement of anatomical parameters can effectively assess the development of part auditory pathways in LVAS children, which may be helpful in predicting post-operative speech and hearing recovery.