Resident research awards were announced at the CORE Grants and Awards ceremony at this year’s AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting.  Xoran was honored to be the proud sponsor of Dr. Melvin’s award for her research titled, “The Effects of Cochlear Implantation of Vestibular Function”.

Thuy-Anh Mguyen Melvin, MD Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD

The Effects of Cochlear Implantation of Vestibular Function

This one-year prospective clinical investigation will determine the effects of CI on the vestibular labyrinth in uni- and bilateral CI candidates. Specifically, this project aims to assess the change in vestibular function after CI in the implanted ear. Semicircular canal (SCC) and otolith endorgan function will be measured with a comprehensive battery of tests spanning the range of normal stimuli. Proposed testing for SCC function comprises a combination of low-frequency (caloric nystagmography), mid-frequency (head shake nystagmus), and high frequency/transient (head impulse testing with 3-D eye movement recordings) methods. Vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials will measure saccular function. Finally, measures from visual acuity during head rotation (dynamic visual acuity) and patients’ self-reported level of dizziness-related disability using the Dizziness Handicap Inventory will complement the other tests. This study lends useful information for patients and physicians during CI counseling, especially for those patients pursuing bilateral implantation or those desiring unilateral CI, but with unilateral vestibular hypofunction.