Cochlear reimplantation with same device: surgical and audiologic results

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Neurosurgery
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Cochlear implantation is a common treatment for severe to profound hearing loss.
• Device failure necessitates cochlear reimplantation, raising concerns about electrode array placement and hearing outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility of achieving identical electrode array insertion depths during cochlear reimplantation.
• To assess the maintenance and recovery of speech perception performance after cochlear reimplantation using the same device.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective case series of 15 patients (12 adults, 3 children) undergoing cochlear reimplantation with a HiRes90K device and HiFocus 1J electrode.
• Multislice computed tomography (CT) scans were used to compare the positions of original and reimplanted electrode arrays.
• Speech perception scores (consonant-vowel-consonant test) were compared before and after reimplantation.

Main Results:

• All reimplantations were successful with no complications reported.
• Postoperative CT scans showed an average electrode array displacement of only 0.59 mm.
• Immediate open-set speech understanding was achieved, with speech perception returning to pre-failure levels within weeks and significantly improving at 3 months.

Conclusions:

• Cochlear reimplantation with the same device enables accurate replication of electrode array position.
• Speech perception can be successfully regained and even enhanced shortly after cochlear reimplantation.