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Updated: Jun 29, 2026
Performing Repeated Intraoperative Impedance Telemetry Measurements during Cochlear Implantation
Published on: August 4, 2023
The effects of cochlear implant electrode deactivation on speech perception and in predicting device failure
Daniel M Zeitler1, Anil K Lalwani, J Thomas Roland
1New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016, USA.
Objective:
To examine speech perception outcomes as related to a reduction in the number of functional electrodes postimplantation and to determine the effect of electrode reduction on subsequent device failure.
Study Design:
Retrospective review.
Setting:
Tertiary academic referral center.
Patients:
Of 1,520 children and adults with full insertions of the Advanced Bionics, Med El, and Nucleus devices, 15 (1%) were patients. Patients were included in the study if all electrodes were functional at initial stimulation, but the number of electrodes in use was subsequently reduced at follow-up programming sessions. Exclusion criteria included partial and split-array electrode insertions.
Intervention(S):
Patients with bilateral severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss underwent either unilateral or bilateral cochlear implantation.
Main Outcome Measure(S):
Postimplantation speech perception tests obtained with a full complement of functional electrodes were performed and the results compared to those obtained with 1 or more electrodes removed from the user program. Electrode deactivation was also correlated with device failure.
Results And Conclusion:
The results of this study indicate that deactivation of cochlear implant electrodes is relatively uncommon, and although the deactivation does not have a direct influence on speech performance outcomes, the loss of 5 or more electrodes can suggest impending device failure. Additionally, those patients with electrode deactivation coupled with a decline in speech perception scores should also be considered at risk for device failure.
