Genotype-phenotype Correlation of SLC26A4 in CI Patients With EVA

Enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA) is one of the most common forms of inner ear malformation that cause sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). Some patients with EVA present delayed, fluctuating, and progressive hearing loss, while the others are with congenital or sudden hearing loss. Cochlear implants (CI) have been widely used in patients with severe-profound SNHL. However, it is difficult to define the optimal timing of CI operations for patients with EVA. Mutations in SLC26A4 are known to be responsible for EVA. This study is to explore the genotype-phenotype correlation of SLC26A4 mutations in cochlear-implanted patients with EVA.