Speech Perception Performance of Nucleus Multichannel Cochlear Implant Users with Partial Electrode Insertions

Author: Mark Sehgal, Karen I. Kirk and Richard T. Miyamoto

Abstract:
Ossification of the cochlea need not pose a special problem in surgical implantation or in auditory performance for the cochlear implant candidate. The present investigation examines the speech perception performance of five children with ossified cochleas who received partial insertions of the Nucleus 22-channel cochlear implant. all the partial-insertion subjects were fit with their Nucleus cochlear implant between the ages of 2-5 years and used their device for at least 1.5 years; two of these subjects had used their device even longer, up to 4.5 years. The partial-insertion subjects' preimplant and 1.5 years postimplant performance on a battery of speech perception tests was compared to the average performance of age-matched control subjects who received full insertions of their electrode array. More extended comparisons were made for the two partial-insertion subjects who had used their cochlear implants for a longer period of time. The results revealed that the subjects with partial electrode insertions perform similarly to the control group at preimplant and 1.5 years postimplant. Furthermore, the partial-insertion subjects showed continued improvements in speech perception performance with increased device experience past 1.5 years, again similar to the full-insertion control group. The present result suggest that partial insertion of a multichannel implant device is an appropriate and feasible approach to the surgical management and auditory rehabilitation of children with complete ossification of the cochlea.