Hearing improvement achieved by different cochlear implantation techniques on the same and contralateral ears.

Abstract

The authors have performed cochlear implantation since 1985. Different implantation techniques have been used: extracochlear, round window and intracochlear implantation combined with different receivers. Right at the beginning, the 8-channel extra-cochlear implant produces good results due to the gradually increasing current needed to obtain the same effectivity (transduction energy). However, no great differences can be observed in speech reception whether round window or intracochlear implants be used. In addition to audiological results, we briefly outline surgical implantation techniques and implant fixation methods and summarize the outlook for long-term cochlear implantation. Six months after operation, contralateral hearing was observed. The hearing presented itself at one or two frequences.