Electric acoustic stimulation: a new era in prosthetic hearing rehabilitation

Hearing preservation after cochlear implantation and combined electric acoustic stimulation (EAS) in the same ear has reduced the gap between prosthetic hearing rehabilitation with hearing aids and cochlear implants. This has increased the possibility of successful hearing rehabilitation for patients. This paper describes the history of hearing preservation after cochlear implantation. Indications and criteria for combined electric acoustic stimulation are described, and hearing preservation surgery and outcomes achieved with combined EAS are discussed. EAS has led to a new era in prosthetic hearing rehabilitation providing new understanding of basic physiological, psychoacoustic and medical aspects of the inner ear.