Our Research
Clinical Research Explores Innovative Diagnostic and Treatment Options for Enlarged Vestibular Aqueduct Syndrome (EVA)
Researchers at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital are investigating the causes, possible mechanisms, and clinical course of enlarged vestibular aqueduct syndrome (EVA). Better understanding of the disease process will contribute to possible treatment options and hearing rehabilitation for EVA patients who suffer hearing loss. A sample of our research includes:
Bilateral Sequential Cochlear Implantation in Patients with Enlarged Vestibular Aqueduct (EVA) Syndrome.
This recent article from UH researchers, published in the Otology & Neurotology journal, studies patients with EVA who went on to have cochlear implants placed. The hearing results after cochlear implant were not significantly different from patients who did not have any inner ear malformation.
Vestibular Aqueduct Midpoint Width and Hearing Loss in Patients With an Enlarged Vestibular Aqueduct
This article, published in JAMA – Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, is a detailed study of hearing loss as it relates to inner ear shape. We concluded that hearing loss in patients with an EVA is closely related to vestibular aqueduct midpoint width. When a doctor meets with an EVA patient, we think they can look at the vestibular aqueduct midpoint width as a sign for what hearing we might expect in a patient affected by EVA.
Hearing loss in enlarged vestibular aqueduct and incomplete partition type II
This article is provided in the American Journal of Otolaryngology, and it describes how hearing is affected by a cochlear malformation that is often associated with EVA. Hearing loss due to enlarged vestibular aqueduct does not appear to be affected by the presence of incomplete partition type II. Therefore, we believe that enlarged vestibular aqueduct may not be a result of cochlear malformation, and instead is more likely to involve the vestibular aqueduct or cellular and molecular-level mechanisms of hearing loss.