Abstract
PurposeNumerous endeavors have been undertaken to preserve hearing in cochlear implant (CI) patients. Particularly, optimization of electrode array design aims at preservation of residual hearing (RH). This study examines whether a slim perimodiolar (PM) electrode array could bear the capability to preserve hearing.MethodsA total of 47 patients underwent cochlear implantation receiving the PM electrode. (i) Patients with pure tone audiogram (PTA) thresholds better than 85 dB and/or hearing loss for Freiburg speech test numbers less than 60 dB and more than 50% maximum monosyllabic understanding were assigned to the RH group (n = 17), while all others belonged to the noRH group (n = 30). (ii) Another group implanted with a slim straight, lateral wall (LW) electrode was recruited for comparison.ResultsWe compared 17 RH–30 noRH patients all receiving the PM electrode. RH in PM recipients decreased faster than in LW recipients. No significant differences were observed between both (RH v/s noRH) groups in NRT thresholds, Freiburg speech test and A§E® phonemes. Analogous satisfaction levels were indicated through the questionnaires in terms of sound quality, hearing in silence, noise and directional hearing in both groups.ConclusionsThe results suggest that hearing preservation is influenced not only by electrode shape but various factors. This study opens an avenue for further investigations to elucidate and enumerate the causes for progressive hearing loss.
Highlights
Cochlear implantation is an effective treatment option for profound sensorineural hearing loss
The Nucleus® CI532 cochlear implant with slim modiolar electrode and the CochlearTM Nucleus® CI522 cochlear implant with Slim Straight electrode were inserted according to the manufacturer’s instructions by two experienced surgeons routinely performing cochlear implantations: (i) The CI532 implant is precurved and secured in a thin sheath to hold it in straight position aiming at perimodiolar position
Two patients were implanted bilaterally. 40 patients had a bilateral, symmetric hearing loss, in seven cases the hearing loss was asymmetric. 17 patients fulfilled the criteria for residual hearing (RH) and 30 patients belonged to the noRH group. 30 right ears and 19 left ears were implanted
Summary
Cochlear implantation is an effective treatment option for profound sensorineural hearing loss. Compared to the first cochlear implants in the 1980′s, surgical techniques and implant technologies have evolved over the past decades [1]. The possibility of hearing preservation (HP) after cochlear implantation is a novel goal: The indication criteria for cochlear implantations have expanded including more patients with residual hearing, which turns HP into a favorable therapeutic target [2]. Multiple insertion trauma reducing factors are considered to protect residual hearing after implantation: surgical techniques, electrode array design and intracochlear administration of pharmacological agents (i.e., corticosteroids) [3,4,5,6,7]. New technologies promote robot-assisted surgeries to scale down the insertion speed and reduce the trauma [10]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call