Initial hearing preservation outcomes of cochlear implantation with a slim perimodiolar electrode array

Abstract: During the rehabilitation of hearing-impaired patients, the preservation of residual acoustic hearing following cochlear implantation by minimizing the implantation trauma allows for improved hearing performance. To achieve this, minimally invasive, soft surgery methods and thinner, atraumatic electrodes were required. In our present study, we reported a case where Cochlear® Nucleus CI532 Slim Modiolar electrode was implanted in a patient with residual hearing. Our aim was to study the possible preservation of postoperative acoustic residual hearing by audiological monitoring. Since childhood, due to her congenital hearing loss, she has been wearing a conventional, airborne hearing correction device on both ears. Six months before cochlear implantation, we measured the progression on both sides of the hearing loss, so we decided to perform cochlear implantation. The patient had residual hearing on both ears prior to surgery thus the Cochlear® Nucleus CI532 Slim Modiolar Implant was used. The minimally invasive surgery was performed on the patient’s right ear through the round window approach. Compared to the preoperative hearing threshold (average 85 dBHL) in the 4th postoperative week, an initial hearing threshold progression of 20–25 dBHL was observed between 0.25 and 1.0 kHz, while of 5–10 dBHL between 2.0–4.0 kHz. Hearing threshold measured in the 6th month showed a slight progression in the range above 1 kHz, but improved by the 12th month, to the results achieved at the 4th week. The effects of cochlear implantation on residual hearing have been studied in numerous studies, in which several key surgical and technical factors have been identified. Nucleus CI532 is a Slim Modiolar electrode profile that is close to the modiolus, so it is expected to have a lower endocochlear hydrodynamic load since it lies in the covering of the osseus spiral lamina, thus less influencing the dynamics of the basilar membrane. However, the perimodiolar location of the electrode array allows the adjacent nerve elements of the spiral ganglion to be stimulated with a lower electrical intensity and a reduced surface that may be neuroprotective. Preservation of acoustic residual hearing following cochlear implantation improves the patient’s speech perception and the sound localization skills, particularly in difficult circumstances. Long-term residual hearing preservation may also be of great importance in the subsequent feasibility for regenerative procedures and drug treatments. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(41): 1680–1688.

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Preservation of residual hearing following cochlear implantation: comparison between three surgical techniques

The Journal of Laryngology & Otology ◽

10.1017/s0022215107000254 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 122 (3) ◽

pp. 246-252 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

S Berrettini ◽

F Forli ◽

S Passetti

Keyword(s):

Cochlear Implant ◽

Cochlear Implantation ◽

Surgical Techniques ◽

Electrode Array ◽

Lateral Wall ◽

Hearing Preservation ◽

Acoustic Stimulation ◽

Residual Hearing ◽

Electrode Arrays ◽

Electrode Insertion

AbstractThe preservation of residual hearing is becoming a high priority in cochlear implant surgery. It allows better speech understanding and ensures long-lasting and stable performance; it also allows the possibility, in selected cases, of combining electro-acoustic stimulation in the same ear.We present the results of a retrospective study of the conservation of residual hearing in three different groups of patients who had undergone cochlear implantation using three different cochlear implant electrode arrays, combined with three different surgical techniques for the cochleostomy. The study aimed to evaluate which approach allowed greater preservation of residual hearing.The best residual hearing preservation results (i.e. preservation in 81.8 per cent of patients) were achieved with the Contour Advance electrode array, using the Advance Off-Stylet technique and performing a modified anterior inferior cochleostomy; this combination enabled reduced trauma to the lateral wall of the cochlea during electrode insertion.

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Az elektródasor visszatekeredésének kimutatása transzimpedanciamátrix (TIM)-vizsgálattal cochlearis implantátumban

Orvosi Hetilap ◽

10.1556/650.2021.32073 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 162 (25) ◽

pp. 988-996

Author(s):

Roland Nagy ◽

Ádám Perényi ◽

Balázs Dimák ◽

Miklós Csanády ◽

József Kiss ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cochlear Implantation ◽

Imaging Techniques ◽

Electrode Array ◽

Hearing Preservation ◽

Constant Current ◽

Measuring Device ◽

Electrophysiological Measurements ◽

Electrophysiological Studies ◽

Intracochlear Electrode Array ◽

The Right

Összefoglaló. Bevezetés: Az elmúlt években a cochlearis implantátum a súlyos halláskárosodás vagy a teljes siketség rutinszerű és hatékony kezelési eszközévé vált. Korunk egyik leggyakrabban használt és leghatékonyabb újítása a cochlearis implantációban a perimodiolaris vékony elektródasorok alkalmazása. A cochlea középtengelyét, a modiolust szorosan ölelő atraumatikus elektródasor igen meggyőző eredménnyel bizonyítja népszerűségét, mind az elektrofiziológiai mérések során, mind az akusztikus hallás megőrzése terén nyújtott teljesítményével. Ugyanakkor igen kevés publikáció írja le az elektródasor nem megfelelő helyzetének előfordulási gyakoriságát, pontosabban a visszatekeredését a csúcsi szakaszon. Célkitűzés: Tanulmányunk célja olyan szoftveres technika, a transzimpedancia-mátrix (TIM) beillesztése a rutin intraoperatív elektrofiziológiai mérési metodikák közé, amely képes objektív diagnosztikai lehetőséget biztosítani ahhoz, hogy korán felismerhessük a cochlearis implantátum elektródasorán keletkezett hurkot. Módszer: Hároméves kisgyermek kétoldali cochlearis implantációját követően, posztoperatív röntgenfelvételen a bal oldalon az elektródasor megfelelő pozíciója figyelhető meg, míg a jobb oldalon az intracochlearis elektródasor végének visszatekeredése igazolódott. Képalkotó vizsgálatot követően elektrofiziológiai metódusként TIM-vizsgálatot végeztünk. Az eljárás során a mérőeszköz a kijelölt stimuláló elektródákon 1 V nagyságrendű feszültséget közöl állandó áramerősség mellett a cochlea közel eső struktúrái felé. Mérőelektródák segítségével regisztráljuk a szöveteken mérhető feszültséget, majd transzimpedancia-mátrixszá alakítjuk a mért értékeket. Eredmények: Az elektródasor visszatekeredése, amelyet korábban radiológiai vizsgálattal igazoltunk, az objektív elektrofiziológiai mérések segítségével is jól azonosítható, és a vizsgálatok szoros párhuzamot mutatnak. Következtetés: Az elektródák helyzetének megjelenítésére szolgáló standard radiológiai képalkotási technikák kiegészíthetők, illetve kiválthatók egyszerűen elvégezhető, hatékony, objektív elektrofiziológiai vizsgálatokkal. Intraoperatíven, még a sebzárás előtt kimutatható, ha az elektródasor nem megfelelő helyzetbe került, így csökkenthetjük a radiológiai vizsgálatokkal járó sugárterhelés és annak finanszírozási problémáját. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(25): 988–996. Summary. Introduction: In recent years, the cochlear implant has become a routine and effective treatment tool for severe hearing loss and total deafness. One of the commonly used and effective innovations of our time in cochlear implantation is the perimodiolar thin electrode array. The atraumatic electrode array, which closely embraces the central axis of the cochlea (modiolus), has served its popularity with very convincing results, with its performance in both electrophysiological measurements and acoustic hearing preservation. However, very few publications describe the frequency of improper positioning of the electrode array, which is known as ‘tip fold-over’. Objective: The aim of our study is to incorporate a software technique, the transimpedance matrix (TIM), into routine intraoperative electrophysiological measurement methodologies to provide a potential objective diagnostic opportunity for early detection of tip fold-over of the electrode array. Method: Following bilateral cochlear implantation of a three-year-old child, postoperative radiography showed the correct position of the electrode array on the left side, while tip fold-over of the intracochlear electrode array was detected on the right side. Following imaging, a TIM study was performed as an electrophysiological method. During the procedure, the measuring device transmits a voltage of the order of 1 V to the nearby structures of the cochlea at a constant current at the designated stimulus electrodes. Measuring electrodes were used to register the voltage measured on the tissues, and then converted into a TIM. Results: Electrode tip fold-over was previously diagnosed by radiological examination, while it can also be diagnosed by objective electrophysiological measurements now, and these two tests correlate well. Conclusion: Standard radiological imaging techniques for electrode positioning can be supplemented or replaced by easy-to-perform, effective objective electrophysiological studies. Tip fold-over can be detected intraoperatively, even before wound closure, if the electrode array is in the wrong position, thus reducing the radiation exposure associated with radiological examinations as well as reducing relevant costs. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(25): 988–996.

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Cochlear implantation in a patient with severe cochlear hypoplasia

The Journal of Laryngology & Otology ◽

10.1017/s0022215112001727 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 126 (11) ◽

pp. 1172-1175 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Y M Feng ◽

Y Q Wu ◽

J Wang ◽

S K Yin

Keyword(s):

Case Report ◽

Cochlear Implantation ◽

Internal Auditory Canal ◽

Electrode Array

AbstractObjective:We report the case of a successful cochlear implantation in a patient with severe cochlear hypoplasia.Case report:The outcome of cochlear implantation is generally less favourable for patients with cochlear hypoplasia than for those with a normal cochlear structure. In the reported patient, part of the electrode array was inserted into the internal auditory canal. Nevertheless, the benefits following cochlear implantation seemed to outweigh the risks for this patient.Conclusion:Cochlear hypoplasia is not necessarily a contraindication for cochlear implantation.

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Analysis of Neural Interface When Using Modiolar Electrode Stimulation. Radiological Evaluation, Trans-Impedance Matrix Analysis and Effect on Listening Effort in Cochlear Implantation

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10173962 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (17) ◽

pp. 3962

Author(s):

Angel Ramos-de-Miguel ◽

Juan Carlos Falcón-González ◽

Angel Ramos-Macias

Keyword(s):

Cochlear Implantation ◽

Randomized Study ◽

Electrode Array ◽

Matrix Analysis ◽

Impedance Matrix ◽

Test Results ◽

Listening Effort ◽

Deaf Adults ◽

Discrimination Methods

Background: The proximity of the electrode to the modiolar wall may be of interest to investigate the effect of pitch discrimination. This research establishes the relation between these factors and whether perimodiolar positions may provide benefits regarding improved electrode discrimination. Methods: A prospective randomized study including 24 post-lingual deaf adults was performed. A psychoacoustic study was done by using a psychoacoustic research platform. Radiological study, and a cone-beam computed tomography was used to assess post cochlear implantation electrodes’ position. Trans-impedance matrix (TIM) analysis was performed after cochlear implant insertion in all cases, and pupillometry test was also performed. Results: 12 patients received a slim perimodiolar electrode array, and 12 patients received a straight electrode array. Although all the patients showed similar speech test results after 12 months follow-up, those implanted with a perimodiolar electrode obtained better scores in electrode discrimination test and pupillometry test, and showed more homogenous TIM patterns. Conclusions: The better positioning of the electrode array seams to provide a better hearing resolution and less listening effort trans-impedance matrix seems to be a useful tool to analyze positioning of the perimodiolar array.

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Cochlear Implantation in Children with Postlingual Progressive Steeply Sloping High-Frequency Hearing Loss

Journal of the American Academy of Audiology ◽

10.3766/jaaa.16115 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 28 (10) ◽

pp. 913-919 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Margaret A. Meredith ◽

Jay T. Rubinstein ◽

Kathleen C. Y. Sie ◽

Susan J. Norton

Keyword(s):

Hearing Loss ◽

Speech Perception ◽

Hearing Aids ◽

Cochlear Implantation ◽

High Frequency ◽

Case Series ◽

Hearing Preservation ◽

Rapid Improvement ◽

Retrospective Case ◽

Monosyllabic Word

Background: Children with steeply sloping sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) lack access to critical high-frequency cues despite the use of advanced hearing aid technology. In addition, their auditory-only aided speech perception abilities often meet Food and Drug Administration criteria for cochlear implantation. Purpose: The objective of this study was to describe hearing preservation and speech perception outcomes in a group of young children with steeply sloping SNHL who received a cochlear implant (CI). Research Design: Retrospective case series. Study Sample: Eight children with steeply sloping postlingual progressive SNHL who received a unilateral traditional CI at Seattle Children’s Hospital between 2009 and 2013 and had follow-up data available up to 24 mo postimplant were included. Data Collection and Analysis: A retrospective chart review was completed. Medical records were reviewed for demographic information, preoperative and postoperative behavioral hearing thresholds, and speech perception scores. Paired t tests were used to analyze speech perception data. Hearing preservation results are reported. Results: Rapid improvement of speech perception scores was observed within the first month postimplant for all participants. Mean monosyllabic word scores were 76% and mean phoneme scores were 86.7% at 1-mo postactivation compared to mean preimplant scores of 19.5% and 31.0%, respectively. Hearing preservation was observed in five participants out to 24-mo postactivation. Two participants lost hearing in both the implanted and unimplanted ear, and received a sequential bilateral CI in the other ear after progression of the hearing loss. One participant had a total loss of hearing in only the implanted ear. Results reported in this article are from the ear implanted first. Bilateral outcomes are not reported. Conclusions: CIs provided benefit for children with steeply sloping bilateral hearing loss for whom hearing aids did not provide adequate auditory access. In our cohort, significant improvements in speech understanding occurred rapidly postactivation. Preservation of residual hearing in children with a traditional CI electrode is possible.

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