Favorable cochlear implant performance in an adult patient with prior neonatal hyperbilirubinemia

Abstract Adults with hearing loss (HL) from neonatal hyperbilirubinemia may have abnormal peripheral and central auditory dysfunction. Herein, we describe initial observations following cochlear implantation with hearing preservation in a young adult with HL attributed to neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. At presentation, the patient had absent otoacoustic emissions, absent brainstem auditory evoked responses, and poor scores on AzBio comprehension testing. The patient underwent successful bilateral sequential cochlear implantation with hearing preservation and both subjective and objective improvements. We hope these observations assist in the presurgical counseling of patients with HL of similar etiology.