Auditory Perceptions Associated With Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Objective(s) Hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HNS) is an effective therapy for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), but its potential auditory side effects are not well studied. This study aims to determine the baseline prevalence of tinnitus in Inspire recipients and assess and characterize new auditory perceptions occurring specifically during device activation. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted using a scripted telephone survey to collect patient‐reported outcomes from individuals who received HNS therapy for OSA. Results Among 70 HNS recipients surveyed, 17.1% ( n = 12) reported auditory perceptions occurring specifically during device activation. Patients with preexisting tinnitus were not more likely to report device‐related auditory perceptions compared with patients with no history (22.2% vs. 15.4%, p = 0.53), suggesting that preexisting tinnitus does not predispose patients to perceive device activation. No significant associations were found between device‐related auditory perceptions and age ( p = 0.387), BMI ( p = 0.876), device amplitude ( p = 0.427), or stimulation frequency ( p = 1). Conclusion In this population, patient demographics and device settings were not predictive of auditory perception onset. A notable percentage of HNS patients reported new stimulation‐related auditory sensations unrelated to demographic or device factors. These findings highlight an underrecognized outcome and support increased surveillance and counseling regarding auditory symptoms after HNS implantation.