OBJECTIVE: To examine speech perception outcomes as related to a reduction in the number of functional electrodes postimplantation and to determine the effect of electrode reduction on subsequent device failure. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review. SETTING: Tertiary academic referral center. PATIENTS: Of 1,520 children and adults with full insertions of the Advanced Bionics, Med El, and Nucleus devices, 15 (1%) were patients. Patients were included in the study if all electrodes were functional at initial stimulation, but the number of electrodes in use was subsequently reduced at follow-up programming sessions. Exclusion criteria included partial and split-array electrode insertions. INTERVENTION(S): Patients with bilateral severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss underwent either unilateral or bilateral cochlear implantation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Postimplantation speech perception tests obtained with a full complement of functional electrodes were performed and the results compared to those obtained with 1 or more electrodes removed from the user program. Electrode deactivation was also correlated with device failure. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that deactivation of cochlear implant electrodes is relatively uncommon, and although the deactivation does not have a direct influence on speech performance outcomes, the loss of 5 or more electrodes can suggest impending device failure. Additionally, those patients with electrode deactivation coupled with a decline in speech perception scores should also be considered at risk for device failure.
OBJECTIVE: To examine speech perception outcomes as related to a reduction in the number of functional electrodes postimplantation and to determine the effect of electrode reduction on subsequent device failure. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review. SETTING: Tertiary academic referral center. PATIENTS: Of 1,520 children and adults with full insertions of the Advanced Bionics, Med El, and Nucleus devices, 15 (1%) were patients. Patients were included in the study if all electrodes were functional at initial stimulation, but the number of electrodes in use was subsequently reduced at follow-up programming sessions. Exclusion criteria included partial and split-array electrode insertions. INTERVENTION(S): Patients with bilateral severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss underwent either unilateral or bilateral cochlear implantation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Postimplantation speech perception tests obtained with a full complement of functional electrodes were performed and the results compared to those obtained with 1 or more electrodes removed from the user program. Electrode deactivation was also correlated with device failure. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that deactivation of cochlear implant electrodes is relatively uncommon, and although the deactivation does not have a direct influence on speech performance outcomes, the loss of 5 or more electrodes can suggest impending device failure. Additionally, those patients with electrode deactivation coupled with a decline in speech perception scores should also be considered at risk for device failure.
Authors: Aarno Dietz; Minna Wennström; Antti Lehtimäki; Heikki Löppönen; Hannu Valtonen Journal: Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol Date: 2015-07-12 Impact factor: 2.503
Authors: Jerry W Lin; Avni Mody; Ross Tonini; Claudia Emery; Jody Haymond; Jeffrey T Vrabec; John S Oghalai Journal: Laryngoscope Date: 2010-02 Impact factor: 3.325
Authors: Theodore R McRackan; Ramya Balachandran; Grégoire S Blachon; Jason E Mitchell; Jack H Noble; Charles G Wright; J Michael Fitzpatrick; Benoit M Dawant; Robert F Labadie Journal: Int J Comput Assist Radiol Surg Date: 2013-04-30 Impact factor: 2.924