PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Annelle V Hodges

Publications and source records attributed to Annelle V Hodges.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Revision cochlear implantation for facial nerve stimulation in otosclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: To find if patients experiencing postsurgical facial nerve stimulation caused by underlying disease process (ie, otosclerosis) can improve their hearing performance with their cochlear implant by reimplantation and by an optimal programming strategy. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: Academic tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Two cochlear otosclerosis patients with resistant facial nerve stimulation (FNS). Both patients were initially implanted with Nucleus 22 devices (Cochlear Corporation, Englewood, Colo) and they developed FNS after a period of use. Owing to the decreasing number of active electrodes, concurrent decreases in speech understanding occurred. INTERVENTIONS: Various programming approaches were used to address the FNS. Both subjects ultimately received Nucleus 24 devices. One was reimplanted in the same ear, and the other was implanted in the opposite ear. Both have been followed up for 8 months following the reimplantation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cochlear implant programming levels, cochlear implant performance, and facial nerve stimulation. RESULTS: The FNS was managed for more than 3 years through optimized programming. However, the FNS progressed until performance dropped below acceptable levels. Reimplantation was believed to be the only option for improvement. After reimplantation and programming, both subjects showed immediate improvement in speech discrimination. One user increased his consonant-nucleus-consonant word score from 12% preoperatively to 42%, and the other's performance increased from 0% to 86%. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that having more programming options with newer devices is critical in otosclerotic or ossified users who experience FNS. Also, reimplantation may be a useful tool to improve performance.

Cochlear Implantation↗

Use of neural response telemetry measures to objectively set the comfort levels in the Nucleus 24 cochlear implant.

Cochlear implant programming necessitates accurate setting of programming levels, including maximum stimulation levels, of all active electrodes. Frequently, clinical techniques are adequate for setting these levels; however, they are sometimes insufficient (e.g., very young children). In the Nucleus 24, several methods have been suggested for estimation of comfort levels (C levels) from neural response telemetry (NRT); however, many require co-application of clinical measurements. Data was obtained from 21 adult Nucleus 24 recipients to develop reliable predictions of C levels. Multiple regression analysis was performed on NRT threshold, slope of the NRT growth function, age, length of deafness, length of cochlear implant use and electrode impedance to examine predictive ability. Only the NRT threshold and slope of the growth function measures were significant predictors yielding R2 values from 0.391 to 0.769. Results demonstrated that these measures may provide an alternative means of estimating C levels when other clinical measures are unavailable.

Adult↗

Facial nerve stimulation after cochlear implantation.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to compare the incidence and nature of facial nerve stimulation (FNS) in patients receiving cochlear implants (CI) manufactured by Cochlear Corporation, Advanced Bionics Corporation, and MedEl. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review at a tertiary referral center. METHODS: The charts of 600 patients who received CIs from 1993 to 2003 with at least 1 year of follow-up were reviewed for significant FNS (FNS on at least 1 channel at functional stimulation levels). Data collected included age, sex, etiology of deafness, device type, electrode, FNS onset after initial stimulation, number and location of electrode contacts causing FNS, and loudness level at which FSN occurred. Nucleus straight and perimodiolar electrodes were also compared. RESULTS: Thirty-nine of 600 (6.5%) patients had FNS on at least one channel, (MedEl 3 of 43 [7.0%], Nucleus 29 of 440 [6.6%], and Clarion 7 of 117 [6.0%]). The incidence of FNS in Nucleus perimodiolar electrodes (16 of 250 [6.4%]) was similar to straight electrodes (13 of 190 (6.8%]), as was the mean number of electrodes causing FNS per patient (11 vs. 12). However, straight electrodes caused stimulation at significantly softer perceived loudness levels than perimodiolar electrodes (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: In this large series of CI FNS, the overall incidence of FNS is consistent with previous reports. All devices had a similar incidence of FNS, but perimodiolar electrodes produced FNS only at significantly higher loudness levels than straight electrodes, making them preferable for patients at risk for FNS receiving Nucleus devices.

Adolescent↗

Changes in programming over time in postmeningitis cochlear implant users.

OBJECTIVE: Although successful cochlear implantation of patients with deafness following meningitis is expected, long-term stability of electrical current requirements has not been systematically evaluated. This study evaluated changes in programming for patients deafened by bacterial meningitis and stability of auditory performance over time. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: In this retrospective descriptive study, cochlear implant (CI) stimulation mode and performance of 14 patients deafened by meningitis were compared with those of an age-matched control group of patients deafened by other causes. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in mean performance between the meningitis group and control group (P > 0.05). However, the postmeningitis group required progressively higher stimulation levels and higher programming modes over time as compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Even with deafness accompanied by labyrinthine ossification attributed to meningitis, neural elements were present and could be stimulated. Because increasing levels of stimulation were required over time, postmeningitic children with CIs, and those with cochlear ossification in particular, may need frequent programming adjustments to maintain performance. SIGNIFICANCE: These patients need close follow-up of stimulation levels and programming modes postoperatively in order to perform optimally with CIs. EBM RATING: B-3.

Adolescent↗

Further prospective findings with compound action potentials from Nucleus 24 cochlear implants.

The purpose of this study was to gain greater understanding of compound action potential (CAP) specific characteristics including: slope of the growth function, P1-N1 amplitude, threshold and latencies of P1 and N1 measured in cochlear implant users. Experienced adult subjects underwent behavioral threshold (T) measurement and electrically elicited stapedial reflex (eSR) recording, followed by CAP measurements on six selected electrodes. Based on the electrically elicited stapedial reflex threshold (eSRT), maximum stimulation level for each measured electrode was set. Relationships among the three thresholds of the above measures and maximum CAP P1-N1 amplitude and slope of the growth function were statistically evaluated for each measured electrode. Threshold of the CAP response showed relationships of similar strength with eSRT and T (r=0.69 and 0.61, respectively). For both slope of the growth function and CAP P1-N1 amplitude, a statistically significant relationship with cochlear place was found. Both specific characteristics of CAP measurement for the most apical electrodes were roughly double those for the most basal electrode (alpha=0.05). This may be partially explained by cochlear anatomy and is consistent with prior mammalian and human studies showing increasing density and survival of spiral ganglion cells in the regions corresponding to intracochlear electrode placement from basal to apical electrodes (90-360 degrees ).

Action Potentials↗

Cochlear implants in children--a review.

Over the past two decades, cochlear implantation has become a widely accepted treatment of deafness in children. Over 20,000 children have received cochlear implants worldwide. Hearing, language and social development outcomes have been positive. We review current issues in cochlear implantation, candidacy, evaluation, surgery, habilitation, ethics and outcomes.

Child↗