Effects of Preoperative Electrical Stimulability and Historical Factors on Performance with Multichannel Cochlear Implant

Abstract

We investigated the relationship between results of preoperative transtympanic electrical promontory stimulation, duration of deafness, postoperative implanted psychophysical results, and postoperative speech and speech sound recognition as indicated by a battery of five tests. Our subjects were 10 patients implanted with the Cochlear Corporation multielectrode implant, 1 year postimplantation, with a minimum of 17 active electrodes programmed in the bipolar + 1 mode. The results indicated that preoperative promontory thresholds, the slope of the threshold function, and the duration of auditory deprivation are excellent predictors of postoperative speech and speech sound recognition in the auditory (processor alone) mode. These results have significant implications for patient selection and counseling.

Stem cell transplantation for auditory nerve replacement

“…When there is loss of auditory nerve, as is often associated with deafness, this can influence the efficacy of cochlear prostheses (e.g. Blamey et al, 1996;Kileny et al, 1991;Incesulu and Nadol, 1998;Rubinstein et al, 1999). The minimal amount of remaining auditory nerve necessary for effective use of cochlear prostheses has not yet been established and the correlation between total amount of auditory nerve survival and performance remains in contention.…”

Effects of antioxidants on auditory nerve function and survival in deafened guinea pigs

“…The cochlear implant has provided remarkable benefits for patients with profound hearing impairment, however, its benefits depend upon the presence of a remaining excitable spiral ganglion cell (SGC) population (Pfingst, 1990;Kileny et al, 1991;Skinner et al, 1995;Blamey et al, 1996;Nadol et al, 1989,Incesulu andNadol, 1998;Miller et al, 2000). Loss of inner hair cells leads to a degeneration of denervated afferent CNVIII fibers and a loss of SGCs.…”

Across-Site Threshold Variation in Cochlear Implants: Relation to Speech Recognition

“…There is little doubt that multiple factors, ranging from biophysical to neural, to cognitive, contribute to this variability [Blamey et al, 1996;Kawano et al, 1998;Kileny et al, 1991;Knutson et al, 1991;Rubinstein et al, 1999]. Diagnostic tools are needed to assess the origins of this variability and thus guide the clinician in selecting therapeutic strategies for individual patients.…”