Multichannel Cochlear Implants

Abstract

At the October 1985 meeting of the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery in Atlanta, James L. Parkin, MD, Salt Lake City, reported his experience with multichannel cochlear implants. He stated that between April 1984 and February 1985, 13 adult, postlingually profoundly deaf patients were implanted with multichannel intracochlear electrode systems. Four of the intracochlear-stimulating electrodes were selected on the basis of their ability to receive simultaneous different stimuli via the external sound processor, because this system allows the coding of more complex sounds. All patients currently wear their sound processors on a daily basis, with an average daily use of 12.5 hours. Twelve of the 13 patients report improved performance with continued sound processor use. All patients would be willing to undergo implantation again based on current performance. The first patient implanted is now scoring 100% on open-set spondee word lists and CID (Central Institute for the Deaf)