Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 28, 2026
Robotic Cochlear Implantation for Direct Cochlear Access
Published on: June 16, 2022
Cochlear implant failures: lessons learned from a UK centre
L Masterson1, S Kumar, J H K Kong
1Department of Otolaryngology, Cambridge University Hospitals Trust, UK. lmm398@doctors.org.uk
Objectives:
To review our experience of cochlear implant failure and subsequent revision surgery, and to illustrate the experience we have gained by presenting a series of lessons learned.
Methods:
A combined retrospective and prospective study of revision surgery in a UK regional cochlear implant centre.
Results:
Of the 746 cochlear implantations undertaken, 33 (4.7 per cent of adults and 4.1 per cent of children) had a registered failure requiring re-implantation. The mean time to device failure was 60 months in adults and 35 months in children. Causes of cochlear implant failure were medical (n = 11), electrode displacement (n = 2), 'hard device failure' (n = 15) and 'soft device failure' (n = 5). Chronic suppurative otitis media and post-auricular mastoid abscess were the commonest causes of medical failure. There was one case of electrode array displacement as a direct result of skin flap revision surgery. In 80 per cent of cases, audiological performances were stable or improved following re-implantation.
Conclusion:
As the number of cochlear implants increase and patients outlive the lifespan of their devices, we will face a growing number of revision procedures. Audiologists and otologists should be competent in diagnosing and managing device failure and medical complications requiring cochlear re-implantation.
