Analysis of programming maps and its application for balancing multichannel cochlear implants.

Channel balancing is important for correct perception when using multichannel cochlear implants. In this paper we analyse the effect of channel imbalance on hearing perception in cochlear-implanted patients. Based on warble tone audiometry measured for 10 implanted patients, we evaluate how hearing sensitivity is affected by an imbalance. We also study the distribution along the cochlea of the programming parameters for 146 patients. The parameters are compared for different groups of patients (defined taking into account the age at implantation, the stimulation mode, and the presence of severe cochlear damage). The aim of this study is to obtain information that can be useful for balancing the channels for the patients in the different groups, as well as to evaluate the effect of an imbalance on perception. These results provide some complementary information that can be applied to the correct fitting of the cochlear implant processor.