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Updated: May 7, 2026
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Enhanced Cochlear Coverage and Hearing Preservation in High-Frequency Hearing Loss via Electric Acoustic Stimulation with Longer Electrode
Published on: October 11, 2024
Hearing preservation with full insertion of the FLEXsoft electrode.
Paul Mick1, Hosam Amoodi, David Shipp
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Summary
Hearing preservation (HP) is achievable with the full-length FlexSoft electrode in cochlear implantation (CI). Higher preoperative hearing thresholds correlate with better HP outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Neurosurgery
- Audiology
Background:
- Cochlear implantation (CI) aims to restore hearing, with hearing preservation (HP) potentially enhancing outcomes, especially for electroacoustic stimulation (EAS).
- The MedEl FLEXsoft full-length electrode array is designed for atraumatic insertion to maximize HP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the degree of hearing preservation (HP) following cochlear implantation (CI) using the MedEl FLEXsoft full-length electrode array.
- To assess the impact of preoperative hearing thresholds on HP after CI.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, within-subject repeated measure design.
- Adult patients with residual low-frequency hearing received the 31.5-mm FlexSoft electrode via soft surgery techniques.
- Preoperative and postoperative audiometric data were compared up to 1 year postimplantation.
Main Results:
- At 1 year postimplantation in 36 patients, 21% maintained complete HP (≤10 dB increase in low-frequency PTA) and 65% maintained partial HP (≤40 dB increase).
- Higher preoperative hearing threshold levels at 1,000 Hz were significantly associated with hearing preservation.
Conclusions:
- Low-frequency hearing preservation is feasible with the full-length FlexSoft electrode during cochlear implantation.
- Further long-term follow-up is necessary to confirm sustained HP and its clinical benefits.