[Temporary loss of vestibular function after cochlear implant surgery].

Loss of vestibular function is a common side effect to cochlear implant (CI) surgery. We present a patient who experienced balance problems and showed a reduced vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gain (0.47 ± 0.10) combined with saccades in the horizontal semicircular canals demonstrated by the video head impulse test the day after CI surgery. One month after the operation VOR gain was normal (0.95 ± 0.05) and neither balance problems nor saccades occurred. Our findings indicate that vestibular dysfunction after CI surgery can be reversible, and VOR gain can return to normal.