Cochlear implantation outcomes with round window electrode insertion versus cochleostomy insertion

Abstract

Objectivesassessment of two techniques for electrode insertion during cochlear implantation which are the round window and the traditional cochleostomy insertions, the comparison utilized cochlear implantation outcomes. Study deigna prospective cohort study. Patientschildren (n = 200) between 2 and 8 years old who had bilateral severe to profound SNHL and received a unilateral cochlear implant, 100 children had a round window insertion and were labeled the RW group while the other 100 children had a cochleostomy insertion and were labeled the C group which was taken as a control group. Outcome measure(s)all the participants in this study were followed up and tested twice for their cochlear implant outcomes, the first time when the duration of using their implants was no less than 24 months and no more than 30 months. The second time between 31 and 36 months post implantation. For speech perception; The Consonant-Nucleus-Consonant test (CNC) and The Bamford-Kowal-Bench sentence lists (BKB). For language acquisition; The Preschool Language Scale-fourth edition (PLS-4) and The Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test, Fourth edition (PPVT-4) had been utilized. For speech production; the Diagnostic Evaluation of Articulation and Phonology (DEAP). Resultsfor speech perception: The mean CNC scores for the RW group and the C group between 24 and 30 months post-implantation and at 31–36 months post-implantation were better for the round window group. Also, the mean BKB scores for the RW group were higher than the C group between 24 and 30 months post-implantation (p < 0.0013) and at 31–36 months post-implantation (p < 0.0011). for language acquisition; the PLS-4 mean scores for the RW group and the C group between 24 and 30 months post-implantation and at 31–36 months post-implantation were better for the round window group (p < 0.001). The PPVT-4 mean scores for the RW group were also higher than the C group at both durations. for speech production; The mean word intelligibility scores of the DEAP for the RW group were better at 24 to 30 and 31–36 months post-implantation. ConclusionRound window insertion is associated with superior cochlear implantation outcomes regarding speech perception, language acquisition and speech production rather than the standard cochleostomy insertion.