Bilateral Temporal Bone Fracture Resulting in Expedited Simultaneous Bilateral Cochlear Implantation

Temporal bone fractures following blunt force trauma can result in significant morbidity including complete hearing loss. We present the case of a 15 year-old male who suffered traumatic bilateral transverse temporal bone fractures through both cochleae, resulting in profound bilateral hearing loss. Having met criteria for cochlear implantation, he was successfully managed with expedited, simultaneous bilateral cochlear implantation preceded immediately by evoked auditory brainstem response testing. The auditory brainstem response demonstrated weak wave V activity with high-level stimulation, and placement of the cochlear implants albeit it challenging secondary to early ossification of the cochlea, was successfully performed 5 weeks post-trauma. This case underscores the importance or early diagnosis and expedited implantation following otic capsule fractures to optimize chances for meaningful hearing rehabilitation prior to ossification of inner ear structures.