A 35-year-old man with bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss (aided thresholds >70 dB HL) and absent open-set sentence recognition despite optimal hearing aids is evaluated for cochlear implantation. Which additional audiological criterion best identifies him as a cochlear implant candidate?
- A Pure tone average >60 dB HL in the unaided condition only
- B Absent otoacoustic emissions bilaterally
- C Auditory brainstem response wave V latency >7 ms
- D Word recognition score <50% in the best-aided condition in the ear to be implanted ✓
Correct answer: D. Word recognition score <50% in the best-aided condition in the ear to be implanted
Explanation
Current FDA/CISG criteria for cochlear implant candidacy in adults include aided PTA >55–70 dB HL and word recognition score ≤50% (some centres use ≤60%) in the best-aided condition in sentences. Unaided thresholds, OAEs, and ABR latency alone do not determine functional benefit from amplification and are not candidacy criteria per se.
Reference: Dhingra Diseases of Ear, Nose and Throat, 7th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.