AUDITORY REORGANIZATION IN SINGLE SIDED AND ASYMMETRIC HEARING LOSS. A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF CORTICAL PLASTICITY AND THE EFFECTS OF COCHLEAR IMPLANTATION DEVELOPMENTAL SENSITIVE PERIODS AURAL PREFERENCE AND BINAURAL RESTORATION

Marie Setaire

doi:10.5281/zenodo.21399663

Abstract

Background. Hearing loss that affects one ear far more than the other changes the way the brain processes sound.
Single sided and asymmetric and unilateral hearing loss disturb binaural cues and they drive reorganization across
the auditory pathway. This review gathers the evidence on this reorganization and on the effects of cochlear
implantation.
Objective. The aim was to synthesize studies on cortical plasticity in single sided and asymmetric and unilateral
hearing loss and to describe how cochlear implantation shapes recovery and spatial hearing.
Methods. A systematic search framework was applied across major databases. Records were screened against
defined criteria. Thirty studies formed the final corpus. Data were extracted on population and method and
outcome and were synthesized through a thematic approach.
Results. The corpus drew on animal models and human neuroimaging and behavioral testing and review work.
Five themes emerged. These were developmental plasticity and cross modal reorganization and cochlear implant
outcomes and binaural and spatial hearing and audiovisual integration. The evidence pointed to an early sensitive
period and a preference for the better hearing ear and a partial reversal with consistent device use.
Conclusion. Single sided and asymmetric loss reshape the auditory brain in ways that depend on age and on
duration of the loss. Early and consistent cochlear implant use can support more balanced cortical organization
and better spatial hearing.

Keywords

Single sided deafness. Asymmetric hearing loss. Cortical plasticity. Binaural hearing. Cochlear implantation.

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