Importance Common cavity deformity is a rare congenital inner ear malformation associated with profound hearing loss and attributed to an early developmental arrest of the cochlear-vestibular structures. This narrative review highlights the need to identify reliable indicators of hearing rehabilitation outcome. Observations Despite its relatively simple definition, common cavity deformity varies widely in morphologic features, presence of cochlear nerve fibers and remnants of Corti organ, and outcome after cochlear or brainstem implant. Conclusions and Relevance Cochlear implant has been shown to be a valid option for common cavity deformity, but its outcome remains variable and poor. Identification of specific neuroradiologic, audiologic, and neurophysiologic prognostic features; tailoring of the surgical approach; and standardization of outcome measures are needed to optimize the management of common cavity deformity and hearing rehabilitation after implant.

Inner ear malformations are present in 20% of patients with sensorineural hearing loss. Although the first descriptions date to the 18th century, in recent years the knowledge about these conditions has experienced terrific improvement. Currently, most of these conditions have a rehabilitative option. Much less is known about the etiology of these anomalies. In particular, the evolution of genetics has provided new data about the possible relationship between inner ear malformations and genetic anomalies. In addition, in syndromic condition, the well-known presence of sensorineural hearing loss can now be attributed to the presence of an inner ear anomaly. In some cases, the presence of these abnormalities should be considered as a characteristic feature of the syndrome. The present paper aims to summarize the available knowledge about the possible relationships between inner ear malformations and genetic mutations.

At the present time, 50 to 60% of the population above 70 years of age suffers from a hearing impairment and from 0.6 to 1.1% has a severe to profound loss, which cannot benefit from an hearing aid. Moreover, it is expected that this prevalence will grow by more than two-fold in the next 40 years. There is strong evidence that hearing loss in older adults is associated with both cognitive load and social isolation, which in turn, are associated with cognitive and physical functioning. Cochlear implant (CI) dramatically improves sound audibility and speech understanding. The aim of this paper was to analyze outcome and complications of CI treatment in elderly patients. A retrospective study on 17 patients, aged at implantation between 65 and 79 years (mean = 70.47 ± 3.94), unilaterally implanted for severe to profound bilateral hearing loss. The following data were statistically evaluated: pre-implant pure-tone threshold and tests of speech recognition, both with hearing aid that without; post-implant threshold and speech perception with CI off and on. Moreover, statistical correlations of PTA improvement between two age groups (65 to 70 and over 70 years) were carried out. Mean PTA improved from 111.25 (± 17.51) (pre-implant) to 43.81 (± 9.27) (post-implant); and the mean SRT improved from 90 dB to 65 dB. Moreover there was no statistical difference in PTA improvement between the two age groups (65 to 70 and over 70 years). No severe per- or post-operative surgical complications were noted. In the elderly, CI is a safe procedure that significantly improves hearing threshold (p < 0.00001) and speech perception (p < 0.01). Support of family and professionals, as well as duration of deafness and pre-implant scores greatly influence the results of rehabilitation and its perceived benefit. CI should not be denied in older individuals who are otherwise in good health.

During COVID-19 pandemic, protective measures such as social distancing and face masks posed a challenge in daily communication, in this context the elderly are one of the most at risk categories as widely exposed to hearing loss. This article focuses on how the COVID-19 pandemic affected verbal communication, especially on those people that even in normal conditions present an increased difficulty in speech perception. Special attention has been paid to hearing aids and cochlear implant users, these devices indeed can be affected by a speech intelligibility reduction and could be uncomfortable if used together with face masks. Possible alternatives and solutions will be proposed to reduce the negative impacts of face coverings on communication, to enhance speech intelligibility and to manage wearability of hearing rehabilitation devices.