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Cochlear implantation in the presence of chronic suppurative otitis media.

Nine patients are presented who underwent cochlear implantation in the presence of chronic suppurative otitis media. Four had a simple tympanic membrane perforation, four had a pre-existing mastoid cavity and one had cholesteatoma in the ear chosen for implantation. Patients with a simple perforation had a staged procedure with myringoplasty followed by cochlear implantation after an interval of three months. Patients with cholesteatoma or with an unstable mastoid cavity were also staged. A mastoidectomy or revision mastoidectomy was performed with obliteration of the middle ear and mastoid using a superiorly pedicled temporalis muscle flap and blind sac closure of the external meatal skin. After a further six months a second stage procedure was performed to confirm that the middle-ear cleft was healthy and to insert the implant. Patients presenting with a stable mastoid cavity underwent obliteration of the cavity and implantation of the electrode as a one-staged procedure. To date there have been no serious problems such as graft breakdown, recurrence of disease or implant extrusion, and all patients are performing well.

Child, Preschool↗

Cochlear implantation for treatment-induced ototoxic deafness in Langerhans cell histiocytosis. A case report.

A case is presented where the authors carried out a cochlear implantation on a girl whose deafness was induced by cytostatic agents. The normally hearing child was diagnosed with Langerhans cell histiocytosis at the age of 3 years and received polychemotherapy for almost 2 years. By her 5th year, she started to develop a bilateral, progressive sensorineural hearing loss, necessitating a hearing aid in both ears. While her histiocytosis was cured, her hearing ultimately deteriorated to total deafness on the right and profound hearing loss on the left ear. After 3 years, her hearing aids no longer provided adequate hearing for the postlingually deafened girl. At the age of 14, a cochlear implantation was performed on her right ear with excellent results.

Adolescent↗

Psychophysical metrics and speech recognition in cochlear implant users.

Intersubject variability in perception is a prominent characteristic of people with cochlear implants. This study characterized intersubject differences using simple metrics based on psychophysical measures: maximum comfortable loudness levels (C levels) and dynamic ranges (DRs). In a group of 17 subjects, we assessed across-site variation (ASV) and across-site mean (ASM) values of C levels and DRs for bipolar (BP) and monopolar (MP) stimulation, and examined the relation of these metrics to speech recognition across subjects. Significant negative correlations with speech recognition were found for ASVs of C levels for BP stimulation; i.e., subjects with high ASVs of BP C levels had poor speech recognition. Positive correlations with speech recognition were found for ASMs of C levels and ASMs of DRs for both BP and MP stimulation; i.e., subjects with high mean C levels and large mean DRs had better speech recognition. Thus, these psychophysical metrics are effective for diagnosis of individual differences in performance of subjects with cochlear implants. Furthermore, they point to some potentially useful treatment procedures.

Adult↗

Representation of acoustic signals in the human cochlea in presence of a cochlear implant electrode.

BACKGROUND: In subjects with remaining low frequency hearing, combined electric-acoustic stimulation (EAS) of the auditory system is a new therapeutic perspective. Intracochlear introduction of a cochlear implant electrode, however, may alter the biomechanical properties of the inner ear and thus affect perception of acoustic stimuli. STUDY DESIGN: Based on histological observations of morphologic changes after cochlear implantation in cadaveric and post mortem studies the effects of basilar membrane (BM) stiffening in the ascending basal and middle turns of the cochlea due to close contact of the BM with the electrode were simulated in a 3D-computational finite element model of the inner ear. To verify our simulated results, pre- and postoperative pure-tone audiograms of 13 subjects with substantial residual hearing, who underwent cochlear implantation, were evaluated. RESULTS: In the scenario of partial BM-fixation, acoustic energy of middle (2 kHz) and high (6 kHz) frequency was focused basally and apically to the fixed section, increasing BM displacement amplitudes up to 6 dB at a stimulation level of 94 dB (SPL). Lower frequencies were not affected by fixation in the basal and middle turn of the cochlea. In implanted subjects, a small but significant decrease of thresholds was observed at 1.5 kHz, a place in tonotopy adjacent to the tip region of the implanted electrode. CONCLUSION: Our model suggests that stiffening of the basilar membrane adjacent to an implanted electrode into the basal and middle cochlear turn did not affect BM movement in the low frequency area. Focussing of acoustic energy may increase perception in regions adjacent to the fixed section. Observations in implanted subjects were concordant with our model predictions. High frequencies, however, should not be amplified in patients using EAS to avoid disturbances in discrimination due to tonotopically incorrect frequency representation.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

Preservation of residual hearing with cochlear implantation: how and why.

CONCLUSIONS: Hearing may be conserved in adults after implantation with the Nucleus Contour Advance perimodiolar electrode array. The degree of hearing preservation and the maximum insertion depth of the electrode array can vary considerably despite a defined surgical protocol. Residual hearing combined with electrical stimulation in the same ear can provide additional benefits even for conventional candidates for cochlear implantation. OBJECTIVES: We present preliminary results from a prospective multicentre study investigating the conservation of residual hearing after implantation with a standard-length Nucleus Contour Advance perimodiolar electrode array and the benefits of combined electrical and acoustic stimulation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The subjects were 12 adult candidates for cochlear implantation recruited according to national selection criteria. A "soft" surgery protocol was defined, as follows: 1-1.2-mm cochleostomy hole anterior and inferior to the round window; Nucleus Contour Advance electrode array inserted using the "Advance-off-stylet" technique; and insertion depth controlled by means of three square marker ribs left outside the cochleostomy hole. These procedures had been shown to reduce insertion forces in temporal bone preparations. Variations in surgical techniques were monitored using a questionnaire. Pure-tone thresholds were measured pre- and postoperatively. Patients who still retained thresholds <90 dB HL for frequencies up to 500 Hz were re-fitted with an in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid. Word recognition was tested in quiet and sentence perception in noise for the cochlear implant alone and in combination with an ipsilateral hearing aid. RESULTS: Hearing threshold level data were available for 12 patients recruited from 6 of the centres. Median increases in hearing threshold levels were 23, 27 and 33 dB for the frequencies 125, 250 and 500 Hz, respectively. These median increases include the data for two patients who had total loss of residual hearing due to difficulties encountered during surgery. "Cochlear view" X-ray images indicated that the depth of insertion varied between 300 and 430 degrees, despite modest variations in the length of the electrode inserted (17-19 mm). The insertion angle had some influence on the preservation of residual hearing at frequencies of 250-500 Hz. Six of the 12 patients retained sufficient hearing for effective use of an ipsilateral ITE hearing aid (< or = 80 dB HL at 125 and 250 Hz; < or = 90 dB HL at 500 Hz). Word recognition scores in quiet were improved from 10% to 30% with the cochlear implant plus ipsilateral hearing aid in 3 patients who had at least 3 months postoperative experience. Signal:noise ratio thresholds for sentence recognition were improved by up to 3 dB. Patients reported that they experienced greatly improved sound quality and preferred to use the two devices together.

Adult↗

Predictors of reading skill development in children with early cochlear implantation.

OBJECTIVE: The present study sought to document the word reading and comprehension levels attained by children who were implanted by 5 yr of age. It was hypothesized that the improved speech perception abilities acquired with cochlear implantation would promote phonological coding skills and facilitate the acquisition of beginning reading skills. DESIGN: Three subtests from diagnostic reading assessment batteries standardized on hearing children were administered to 181 children between 8 yr 0 mo and 9 yr 11 mo of age who had 4 to 6 yr of implant experience. In addition, a battery of processing measures was administered including a lexical decision task, a rhyme task and the digit span subtest of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children. RESULTS: Over half of the children scored within the average range for their age compared with the normative data for hearing children. Reading competence was associated with higher nonverbal intelligence, higher family socio-economic status, female gender and later onset of deafness (between birth and 36 mo). After variance due to these child and family characteristics was removed, reading competence was associated with mainstream educational placement, use of an updated implant speech processor with a wide dynamic range, and speech processing characteristics that included longer memory span and use of phonological coding strategies. Reading outcome was most highly predicted by linguistic competence and, secondarily, by speech production skill. CONCLUSION: Children who experience severe to profound deafness early in their development have a better prognosis for normal literacy development than ever before. To the extent that use of a cochlear implant is associated with greater use of phonological coding strategies for decoding print, longer working memory spans for short-term storage of phonemes, words and sentences and accelerated language development for reading comprehension, it should have a facilitative effect on the acquisition of literacy.

Canada↗

Management of late extrusions of cochlear implants.

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to identify the important principles in repairing and preventing delayed cochlear implant extrusions. STUDY DESIGN: The study design was a retrospective, international database review and three case presentations from the authors' local database. SETTING: The study was conducted at a tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Cochlear Corporation's database of 8,665 implantees in North and South America and Israel was studied. A subset of this database, consisting of 74 patients implanted through the Louisiana State University/Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat (LSU/EENT) project, is analyzed separately and provides the case reports. INTERVENTION: Surgical repair of skin breakdown over the edge of three cochlear implants using a two-layer, pericranial and scalp rotation flap technique was performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A functioning cochlear implant with a healthy skin covering was measured. RESULTS: The three LSU/EENT cases reported here used a pericranial flap to repair the capsule of the implant and a large scalp rotation flap to repair the skin defect. A novel pericranial tuck-under technique is especially useful for the Nucleus Mini-22 implant. With this technique, the authors have had a 100% success rate (3 of 3). The basic principles used in the repair and in the initial implant surgery are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: The following conclusions were reached: 1) avoid skin closure lines parallel to the cochlear implant edge that are closer than 1.5 cm from the implant edge; 2) excise enough skin and scar around the dehiscence to achieve principle 1; 3) design a large, well-vascularized anterior- or posterior-based scalp rotation flap to cover this defect; and 4) close the implant capsule defect with a well-vascularized pericranial flap.

Adult↗

Speech perception abilities in children with cochlear implants or hearing aids.

This investigation evaluates the effect of communication method on auditory perceptual development; specifically, speech perception skills in children with little or no residual hearing utilizing cochlear implants, compared to children with some residual hearing who utilize hearing aids. Five speech perception measures assessing pattern perception, spondee and monosyllable word identification, and closed- and open-set speech recognition were administered to 68 prelingual profoundly hearing-impaired children with either hearing aids or cochlear implants. The data suggest that significant differences in performance on some of the speech perception measures are present for children educated in oral programs compared to those educated in total communication settings. This effect was greatest for hearing aid users. Additionally, performance trends suggest that oral multichannel implant users score higher on selected tests than do children using a single-channel implant or a hearing aid. These results have important implications for accelerating speech perception development and maximizing rehabilitation effects in children with cochlear implants or hearing aids.

Child↗

Performance of deaf children with cochlear implants and vibrotactile aids.

A longitudinal study is under way to examine the speech perception and production skills of deaf children who use a single- or multi-channel cochlear implant, or a two-channel tactile aid. The speech perception data showed that the majority of subjects who achieved the highest scores on a range of measures used the multi-channel cochlear implant. The production data showed that all three types of sensory aids were effective in promoting production skills, with the cochlear implant users showing the greatest gains in this area.

Child↗

An "endosteal electrode" for cochlear implantation in cases with residual hearing? Feasibility study: preliminary temporal bone experiments.

BACKGROUND: Over the years, an increasing number of patients with some degree of residual hearing have received cochlear implants. In these cases, the marginal benefit provided by hearing aids alone is not sufficient; however, as experience has already shown, when hearing aids are used in combination with a cochlear implant, more benefit may be obtained. As a prerequisite, this requires that residual hair cell function must remain intact postoperatively. One of the European pioneers of cochlear implants, Ernst Lehnhardt, questioned whether residual hearing might better be preserved if the implanted electrode permits the fluid-filled inner ear space to remain intact. Subsequently, he proposed insertion of a very flat electrode array design into the extraluminal space between the spiral ligament and the bony cochlear wall (endosteum). OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to determine whether it is feasible to insert an endosteal electrode model intracochlearly but extraluminarily, anatomically, and ultimately surgically and to determine the impact on surrounding intracochlear structures. METHODS: Insertion of two silicon models of an endosteal electrode were carried out in 15 human temporal bones. Histologic examination of the temporal bones after electrode insertion was performed on both fresh and fixed specimens to determine whether the desired anatomic site of insertion was achieved. In combination with light reflected and electron microscopic techniques, the extent to which the surrounding structures were impacted was also examined. RESULTS: Successful insertion of the prototype silicon endosteal electrodes was performed intracochlearly and extraluminarly in 11 of the 15 temporal bone specimens, confirming the anatomic feasibility of insertion into the crevice between the spiral ligament and endosteum. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of the anatomy of the human temporal bone, insertion of an "endosteal electrode" is feasible. Subsequently, in vivo animal studies are needed to determine the physical effects of insertion of an endosteal electrode design prototype upon the functionality of the surrounding intracochlear structures and in particularly the ability to preserve hearing function.

Cochlea↗

[Voice acoustic analysis in patients with a hearing aid or cochlear implant].

The subject of our study was two groups of patients with hearing disorders: 23 cases implanted with multi-channel cochlear device (Nucleus Mini System 22) and 10 patients with perceptive hypoacusis who used hearing aids. The voice acoustic analysis was performed before cochlear implantation or application of a hearing aid and after a 6-month rehabilitation period. The acoustic analysis was carried out by means of a laryngophone connected to KAY 4300 instrument. The estimation of acoustic parameters of a laryngeal tone during rehabilitation process as well as parameters of spectrographic analysis was presented with the use of MDVP and CSL. Voice acoustic analysis can be an objective evaluation of progress in voice and speech rehabilitation process of patients with hearing disorders, particularly small children.

Adolescent↗

Electrically evoked whole nerve action potentials in Ineraid cochlear implant users: responses to different stimulating electrode configurations and comparison to psychophysical responses.

Electrically evoked whole nerve action potentials (EAP) have been recorded from 20 ineraid cochlear implant users in response to bipolar and/or monopolar electrical stimulation of the cochlea. EAP growth functions and refractory recovery functions were obtained for a variety of different stimulating conditions. Where possible, parallel psychophysical experiments were conducted that measured the just detectable increment in stimulus current level (JND), forward-masking functions, and detection thresholds for a range of different stimuli. Variations in EAP threshold, slope of the EAP growth function, and the rate of recovery of the EAP from the refractory state were observed both across subjects for a given place and by mode of stimulation (bipolar versus monopolar), as well as across electrodes within a subject. A poor correlation between slope of the EAP growth functions and current JNDs was obtained. However, good correlations were observed between EAP threshold and psychophysical detection threshold and between the EAP refractory recovery functions and the psychophysical forward-masking functions. Our interpretation of these findings is that these particular physiological measures are related to the excitability of the auditory nerve to electrical stimulation and further that these measures are related to performance of cochlear implant patients on listening tasks. Consequently, such information may prove to be useful in adjusting the stimulation parameters of the cochlear implant speech processor in order to maximize an individual's performance with the device.

Cochlear Implants↗

Intra- and intersubject comparison of cochlear implant systems using the Esprit and the Tempo+ behind-the-ear speech processor.

A patient with bilateral profound deafness was implanted with a Nucleus CI24M cochlear implant (CI) and used an Esprit behind-the-ear (BTE) speech processor. Thirteen months later, the implant had to be removed because of a cholesteatoma. As the same electrode could not be reinserted, a Medel combi40s CI was implanted in the same ear, and the patient used a Tempo+ BTE processor. After 1 year of use of the Combi40s/Tempo+ system, speech recognition was better and was rated better subjectively than with the CI24M/Esprit system. Speech recognition and subjective ratings were also assessed for two matched groups of nine CI users each, using either an Esprit or a Tempo+ processor. On average, speech recognition scores were higher for the group of Tempo+ users, but the difference was not statistically significant. Users of the Esprit processors rated their device higher in terms of cosmetic appearance and comfort of wearing.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

Multichannel (Ineraid) cochlear implant update.

From April 1984 to May 1991, 49 profoundly deaf patients received implantation of the Ineraid multichannel cochlear implant at the University of Utah. The auditory results of 48 patients indicated improvement in mean pure-tone performance to 500 Hz (32.9 +/- 10.1 dB), 1000 Hz (27.1 +/- 10.0 dB), and 2000 Hz (30.1 +/- 9.8 dB). This group of patients had mean performances of 61.2% on auditory-only environmental sounds (Minimum Auditory Capabilities [MAC] battery), 48.8% on auditory-only CID sentences, and 95.5% on auditory-plus-visual CID sentences. The percutaneous pedestal has been well-tolerated. Changes in the surgical skin incisions have been made. A home use speech therapy program has been developed on VHS tapes.

Adult↗

Stimulus-inadequate sensations in cochlear implant patients.

From August 1984 to April 1987 the Department of Otolaryngology at the Medizinische Hochschule in Hannover implanted the NUCLEUS 22 channel cochlear implant system (CI) in their first 56 adults. Since implantation, 27 (51%) patients have described undesirable sensations from their implant. These were defined as stimulus-inadequate sensations (SIS) and were classified into three types: 1) pain-like sensations; 2) high-frequency sensations; and 3) non-stimulation. Twenty-three patients were radiographically investigated by polytomography. All of the intracochlear electrodes were visualised and a correlation between SIS and the radiological findings was established. It was found that i) SIS similar to pain are caused by electrical stimulation of the mucous membranes and periosteum of the tympanic cavity; ii) the high-frequency SIS seemed to be due to non-physiological electrical stimulation of the basal ganglion cells; and iii) the reason for non-stimulation is probably damaged electrodes and fibrosis around the electrode. Conventional tomography is the method of choice for estimating the number and configuration of intracochlear electrodes.

Adolescent↗

A 12-consonant confusion study on a multiple-channel cochlear implant patient.

A consonant confusion study was undertaken on a multiple-channel cochlear implant patient using a wearable speech processing device. This patient suffered from total bilateral deafness acquired postlingually. The consonants /b/, /p/, /m/, /v/, /f/, /d/, /t/, /n/, /z/, /s/, /g/, /k/ were presented in a VCV context with the vowel /a/ as in father by a male and female speaker under three conditions: lipreading alone; electrical stimulation alone using the wearable speech processor and multiple-channel cochlear implant; lipreading in conjunction with electrical stimulation. No significant difference was detected between the results for the male and female speakers. The percentage correct scores for the pooled results of both speakers were lipreading alone--30%; electrical stimulation alone--48%; lipreading with electrical stimulation--70%. Performance was significantly better for lipreading with electrical stimulation than for lipreading alone and for electrical stimulation alone than for lipreading alone. An information transmission analysis demonstrated the effective integration of visual and auditory information for lipreading with electrical stimulation. There was a significant improvement in performance for the electrical stimulation alone condition over the 2 months of the study in contrast to no such improvement for lipreading alone.

Cochlear Implants↗

Comparison of EAP thresholds with MAP levels in the nucleus 24 cochlear implant: data from children.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between the electrically evoked compound action potential (EAP) thresholds and the MAP thresholds (T-levels) and maximum comfort levels (C-levels) in children implanted with the Nucleus 24 device. DESIGN: EAP thresholds were measured using the Neural Response Telemetry system of the Nucleus 24 device. Twenty children implanted with the Nucleus 24 cochlear implant participated in this study. EAP thresholds were compared with the behavioral measures of T- and C-level used to construct the MAP these children used on a daily basis. For these subjects, both EAP and MAP T- and C-levels were obtained the same visit, which occurred at 3 to 5 mo postconnection. RESULTS: EAP thresholds were shown to fall between MAP T- and C-level for 18 of 20 subjects tested; however, considerable variability across subjects was noted. On average, EAP thresholds fell at 53% of the MAP dynamic range. Correlations between EAP threshold and MAP T- and C-level improved substantially when combined with behavioral measures obtained from one electrode in the array. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate correlations were found between EAP thresholds and MAP T- and C-levels for the children participating in this study. However, a technique is described for improving the accuracy of predictions of MAP T- and C-levels based on EAP data combined with a small amount of behavioral information.

Acoustic Stimulation↗