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Effects of chronic electrical stimulation on patients using a cochlear prosthesis
S B Waltzman1, N L Cohen, W H Shapiro
1Department of Otolaryngology, New York University School of Medicine, NY.
Summary
Cochlear implant usage duration did not affect electrical thresholds. However, the dynamic range initially widened for those with open-set speech recognition, then narrowed over time, correlating with prior deafness duration.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Cochlear implants are vital for hearing restoration.
- Long-term effects of cochlear prosthesis use on auditory function require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term effects of Nucleus multichannel cochlear prosthesis usage on electrical thresholds, dynamic range, and speech recognition.
- To determine correlations between implant usage duration, length of deafness, and audiological outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Annual audiological evaluations were conducted for 18 patients using Nucleus multichannel cochlear implants.
- Data collected included electrical thresholds, dynamic range, and speech recognition abilities over 1 to 5 years.
Main Results:
- No significant correlation was found between the duration of cochlear implant usage and electrical thresholds.
- Patients with open-set speech recognition initially showed a wider dynamic range, which decreased over subsequent years.
- A positive correlation was observed between the duration of pre-operative deafness and post-operative audiological performance.
Conclusions:
- Long-term cochlear implant use does not appear to degrade electrical hearing thresholds.
- Dynamic range and speech recognition may change over time, influenced by factors like pre-existing deafness duration.
- Individual patient factors, such as the length of deafness, play a role in long-term cochlear implant outcomes.