Publications by authors named "Waltzman S"

Article Synopsis
  • This study explores the outcomes and management of pediatric auditory brainstem implantation (ABI) for children with severe inner ear malformations, aiming to unify clinical practices and address current challenges.
  • A systematic review of relevant findings from the Third International Pediatric ABI Symposium analyzed data from multiple countries, highlighting trends in auditory outcomes, surgical approaches, and rehabilitation strategies.
  • Key conclusions emphasize the need for standardized guidelines and improved collaboration among healthcare professionals to enhance patient outcomes and guide future research in this specialized field.
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Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to evaluate cochlear implant performance after patients underwent reimplantation using a different manufacturer's device.
  • A total of 29 patients were analyzed, showing a drop in average CNC speech recognition scores before reimplantation but a recovery to comparable levels following the procedure.
  • The findings indicate that reimplantation with a new device can lead to similar speech recognition performance as the original device, without significant statistical differences in outcomes.
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Objective: To characterize transimpedance matrix (TIM) heatmap patterns in patients at risk of labyrinthine abnormality to better understand accuracy and possible TIM limitations.

Study Design: Retrospective review of TIM patterns, preoperative, and postoperative imaging.

Setting: Tertiary referral center.

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This multi-center study examined the safety and effectiveness of cochlear implantation of children between 9 and 11 months of age. The intended impact was to support practice regarding candidacy assessment and prognostic counseling of pediatric cochlear implant candidates. Data in the clinical chart of children implanted at 9-11 months of age with Cochlear Ltd devices at five cochlear implant centers in the United States and Canada were included in analyses.

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Introduction: The aim of this study was to examine how bimodal stimulation affects quality of life (QOL) during the postoperative period following cochlear implantation (CI). These data could potentially provide evidence to encourage more bimodal candidates to continue hearing aid (HA) use after CI.

Methods: In this prospective study, patients completed preoperative and 1-, 3-, and 6-month post-activation QOL surveys on listening effort, speech perception, sound quality/localization, and hearing handicap.

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Objective: Pediatric data regarding treatment via an auditory brainstem implant (ABI) remains sparse. The authors aimed to describe their experience at their institution and to delineate associated demographic data, audiometric outcomes, and surgical parameters.

Methods: An IRB-approved, retrospective chart review was conducted among the authors' pediatric patients who had undergone auditory brainstem implantation between 2012 and 2021.

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Objectives: Single-sided deafness (SSD) can have consequences for a child's language, educational, and social development. A cochlear implant (CI) is the only device which can restore true binaural hearing, yet they are only approved for children with (SSD) over the age of five in the United States. Reports on speech perception outcomes for children implanted at a younger age are limited.

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Objective: To assess the safety of cochlear implants (CIs) in children under 9 months of age to better understand expected postoperative complication rates, and to provide a preliminary look at efficacy.

Study Design: Single-center retrospective review.

Setting: Tertiary referral center.

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Introduction: Cochlear implants (CIs) provide access to sound for children and adults who do not receive adequate benefit from hearing aids. Age at implantation is known to affect outcomes across the lifespan.

Areas Covered: The effects of age on CI outcomes are examined for infants, children, adolescents, and older adults.

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Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of ceiling effects for commonly used speech perception tests in a large population of children who received a cochlear implant (CI) before the age of four. A secondary goal was to determine the demographic factors that were relevant for predicting which children were more likely to reach ceiling level performance. We hypothesize that ceiling effects are highly prevalent for most tests.

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Objective: Children with high-frequency severe-to-profound hearing loss and low-frequency residual hearing who do not derive significant benefit from hearing aids are now being considered for cochlear implantation. Previous research shows that hearing preservation is possible and may be desirable for the use of electroacoustic stimulation (EAS) in adults, but this topic remains underexplored in children. The goal of this study was to explore factors relating to hearing preservation, acceptance, and benefits of EAS for children.

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Objective: Evaluate rates of Advanced Bionics Ultra 3D/Ultra cochlear implant failure in the setting of a worldwide device recall and report surgical and auditory outcomes after revision.

Methods: Retrospective chart review was performed for adult and pediatric patients implanted with at risk devices at our center from 2016 to 2020. Device failure rates, surgical, and auditory outcomes were recorded and analyzed.

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Objective: To prospectively evaluate the frailty phenotype in a population of older adults and determine its association with 1) perioperative complications, 2) need for vestibular rehabilitation after surgery, and 3) early speech perception outcomes.

Study Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: Tertiary care hospital.

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Objective: To evaluate the ability of the transimpedance matrix (TIM) measurement to detect cochlear implant electrode tip foldover by comparing results to a "gold standard," the intraoperative plain film radiograph.

Study Design: Retrospective case series.

Setting: Tertiary referral hospital.

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Objectives: The current study aimed to identify and map the available evidence surrounding cochlear implantation (CI) in older adults. Five outcomes were evaluated: speech perception scores, perioperative complications, neurocognitive outcomes, quality of life outcomes and vestibular dysfunction and fall rates after surgery.

Methods: A scoping review was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews and included patients over the age of 60.

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Purpose: Severe hearing loss is particularly prevalent among Veterans. In response, the Veterans Affairs (VA) provides hearing aids and cochlear implants as part of their comprehensive hearing loss treatment. The VA's national health care system and integrated electronic health records offer a unique opportunity to examine patterns and outcomes in the management of severe hearing loss.

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Objective: To investigate a new surgical and signal processing technique that provides apical stimulation of the cochlea using a cochlear implant without extending the length of the electrode array.

Patients: Three adult patients who underwent cochlear implantation using this new technique.

Interventions: The patients received a cochlear implant.

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Objective: To evaluate outcomes of auditory implants in children with CHARGE syndrome and describe the evolution in management of hearing loss in this complex population.

Methods: A retrospective case review was performed at a tertiary referral center. Children with CHARGE syndrome who received either a cochlear implant (CI) or auditory brainstem implant (ABI) were included.

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Objectives: Age of cochlear implantation (CI) is an important predictor of language development in those with congenital sensorineural hearing loss. Despite universal newborn hearing screening initiatives and the known benefits of early CI, a subset of congenitally deaf children continue to be evaluated for cochlear implants later in childhood. This study aims to identify the barriers to early cochlear implantation in these children.

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In children with congenital deafness, cochlear implantation (CI) prior to 12 months of age offers the opportunity to foster more typical auditory development during late infancy and early childhood. Recent studies have found a positive association between early implantation and expressive and receptive language outcomes, with some children able to achieve normal language skills by the time of school entry. Universal newborn hearing screening improved early detection and diagnosis of congenital hearing loss, allowing for earlier intervention, including decision-making regarding cochlear implant (CI) candidacy.

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The aim of this study was to investigate surgical, anesthetic, and device-related complications associated with cochlear implantation (CI) in children younger than 1 year of age. This was a multicenter, retrospective chart review of all children with severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss who underwent cochlear implantation with a Cochlear Nucleus Implant System before 1 year of age. Endpoints included perioperative course, major and minor surgical, anesthetic and device-related complications, and 30-day readmission rates.

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Aim: Untreated hearing loss is risk factor for dementia, depression and falls in the elderly population. The present study evaluated the outcomes of cochlear implantation in adults over age 85, including surgical outcomes, speech perception, and implant use.

Methods: Retrospective chart review of 78 patients implanted at a tertiary academic medical center.

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Objective: To describe our experience with adults undergoing cochlear implantation (CI) for treatment of single-sided deafness (SSD).

Study Design: Retrospective case review.

Setting: Tertiary referral center.

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Objective: To describe our institutional experience with cochlear implantation (CI) for rehabilitation of hearing loss in Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) patients.

Study Design: Retrospective review between 1989 and 2019.

Setting: Tertiary-care center.

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Background: Prior studies have shown an advantage for electro-acoustic stimulation (EAS) in cochlear implant (CI) patients with residual hearing, but the degree of benefit can vary. The objective was to explore which factors relate to performance with and acceptance of EAS for CI users with conventional-length electrodes.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted for adults with an average threshold of 75 dB hearing loss or better across 250 and 500 Hz preoperatively (n = 83).

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