The patient was seen at the University of Miami by Dr Thomas Balkany, a noted otolaryngologist.  The presenting complaint was dizziness. On audiologic evaluation, Dr Tricia Sheehan informed the patient that he or she was potentially a candidate for cochlear implantation.  The patient, age 59, was not born deaf.  Further detail was not provided in the history.  The patient elected to undergo candidacy evaluation.

NU-6 ½ lists

Tympanograms are within normal limits bilaterally. Acoustic reflexes are absent bilaterally.

The patient was fit with power hearing aids, with the following results. (Click to see full size image.  Additional speech test results are also below.)

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• Is this patient a candidate for cochlear implantation?  If so, which ear or would you recommend for binaural implantation?

This case was donated by Tricia Sheehan, AuD, of the University of Miami