The effect of cochlear implant on balance.version 1.1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The effect of Cochlear Implant on vestibular function.
IRAS ID
156658
Contact name
Steven Bell
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Southampton
Research summary
We are carrying out a study to find out if cochlear implantation affects balance function in adults. To do this we will cary out two tests on adults with cochlear implants. Each test measures a specific part of the vestibular system. The first test involves measuring the response of patient's neck muscles to loud sounds or to vibration. We will put some sticky pads on patient's neck and measure responses to either a loud sound played through headphones or to a vibration stimulus which is produced using a small shaker(bone vibrator)placed behind patient's ear.As patients have a cochlear implant, they will probably not hear the sounds played through headphones, but they may cause a reflex from patient's balance system that we can measure in patient's neck muscles.
For the second test we will measure patient's eyes movement when very small movements (rotations) are applied to patient's head. The rotations are fast but very small. We will use goggles to record patient's eyes movement.This test also measures a reflex from patient's balance system.REC name
Wales REC 7
REC reference
14/WA/1015
Date of REC Opinion
9 Jun 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion