[Cochlear implantation in patients with ossified cochleas]

The ossified cochlea was no longer an absolute contra-indication to cochlear implantation but it was still a challenge even for the experienced otologist. To report the condition of cochlear implantation and the hearing results of 31 cases of cochlear ossification.

Retrospective analysis of cochlear implantation of 720 cases of cochlear implantation from May 1995 to July 2005 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital.

Thirty-one cochlear ossification patients was found from all the 720 surgeries which included 27 mild cases and 4 severe ones, 14 males, 17 females. And the age of operation was 1. 4 - 59. 0 years old , mean age was 13. 2 years old. All of them had cochlear implanted through mastoid-facial recess. There was no complications during or post the operations. And the hearing threshold was about 40 dB in the sound field, the results were similar to those without cochlear ossification.

Although it was difficult of cochlear implantation in cochlear ossification patients, but in most cases especially mild ones all the electrodes could be implanted after clearing the ossified tissue, and had few damage to the electrodes. Now it was possible to practice in the partial cochlea ossification.