Study of Immune Response and Molecular Markers in Fluid of the Inner Ear After Cochlear Implant Surgery for Sensorineural Hearing Loss

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating sensorineural hearing loss in patients undergoing cochlear implantation. The study aims to identify biomarkers in the inner ear fluid called perilymph and in the blood that may predict delayed loss of residual hearing after implantation. This loss of hearing can occur early due to surgical trauma or later due to immune or inflammatory responses. Understanding these mechanisms could improve treatment and hearing preservation for patients who still have some hearing before surgery. The study involves two groups 50 patients receiving cochlear implants and 30 control patients with normal hearing undergoing other ear surgeries. Blood samples will be collected from all participants, and perilymph samples will be taken during cochlear implant surgery. The implanted patients will be followed for 12 months with six visits for blood sampling and hearing assessment. Controls will have four visits over six months to provide blood samples during their routine follow-ups. Participants will have blood and perilymph collected at surgery, with additional blood samples taken at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after implantation. Researchers will measure protein and metabolite levels in perilymph and blood, and count specific immune cells over time. These data will be correlated with hearing outcomes to identify markers of hearing loss. The study includes detailed clinical assessments and aims to build a biobank for future research on hearing preservation and immune responses after cochlear implantation.

Immunity After Cochlear Implantation and Perilymph Molecular Profiles in Sensorineural Hearing Loss