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Updated: Apr 20, 2026
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Performing Intracochlear Electrocochleography During Cochlear Implantation
Published on: March 8, 2022
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Cochlear response telemetry: intracochlear electrocochleography via cochlear implant neural response telemetry pilot
Luke Campbell1, Arielle Kaicer, Robert Briggs
1*Department of Otolaryngology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; and †Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
Summary
Researchers recorded cochlear responses to sound directly from cochlear implants (CIs) in individuals with residual hearing. This new method using adapted Neural Response Telemetry (NRT) shows promise for monitoring hearing post-surgery and optimizing device fitting.
Area of Science:
- Auditory Neuroscience
- Otoacoustic Emissions
- Cochlear Implant Technology
Background:
- Modern cochlear implants (CIs) possess neural response telemetry (NRT) for electrical stimulation.
- NRT was adapted to enable acoustic electrocochleography recording.
- This study reports on NRT-based acoustic electrocochleography in CI recipients with residual hearing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To record cochlear responses to acoustic stimulation directly from a cochlear implant.
- To utilize an adapted Neural Response Telemetry (NRT) system with a 10-ms recording window.
- To assess the feasibility of this technique in awake cochlear implant recipients with residual hearing.
Main Methods:
- Adults with CI422 cochlear implants and residual hearing (75-90 dB HL at 500 Hz) were recruited.
- Acoustic stimuli (clicks, tone bursts 500-1500 Hz) were delivered via insert earphones.
- Responses were captured using an adapted NRT system interfaced with a laptop, recording from apical, mid, and basal electrodes.
Main Results:
- Acoustic electrocochleography was successfully recorded from all five participants.
- Key electrophysiological potentials including compound action potential, cochlear microphonic, and summating potentials were identified.
- High-quality recordings were most consistently obtained from apical electrodes, with audiometric thresholds correlating with compound action potential thresholds.
Conclusions:
- Intracochlear acoustic responses can be directly recorded from cochlear implants in awake individuals with residual hearing.
- This technique offers a potential tool for monitoring postoperative hearing.
- The method may also aid in optimizing cochlear implant device fitting for improved outcomes.
