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Updated: Jun 6, 2026
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Performing Repeated Intraoperative Impedance Telemetry Measurements during Cochlear Implantation
Published on: August 4, 2023
Local tissue response to cochlear implant device housings.
Lela Migirov1, Jona Kronenberg, Alexander Volkov
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Sheba Medical Center, affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. migirovl@gmail.com
Summary
Cochlear implant devices can cause local tissue reactions, including inflammation and foreign body responses, even when not clinically obvious. Histologic analysis of explanted devices revealed consistent pseudocapsular formation and inflammatory changes in all cases.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Otolaryngology
- Pathology
Background:
- Cochlear implants are sophisticated prosthetic devices used to restore hearing in individuals with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss.
- The long-term interaction between cochlear implant materials and host tissues is not fully understood.
- Understanding tissue response is crucial for optimizing implant longevity and patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether the housing of cochlear implants elicits a local tissue response in human recipients.
- To characterize the histological features of tissues encapsulating explanted cochlear devices.
Main Methods:
- A prospective case series design was employed.
- Connective tissue surrounding explanted cochlear implants was collected during revision surgeries due to device failure.
- Histological analysis was performed on the explanted tissue specimens.
Main Results:
- Fifteen explanted cochlear devices were analyzed from patients aged 15 months to 41 years.
- All specimens exhibited pseudocapsular formation with chronic inflammatory reactions.
- Foreign body reactions, including giant cells and birefringent foreign material, were observed in a significant proportion of cases, irrespective of device housing material (silicone vs. ceramic).
Conclusions:
- The housing of cochlear implants can induce local tissue responses in recipients, characterized by pseudocapsular formation and inflammation.
- These foreign body reactions can occur even in the absence of overt clinical symptoms.
- The findings highlight that implanted materials are not inert and can interact with host tissues over time.
