[Intra- and postoperative electrophysiological diagnostics].

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Neuroscience
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Cochlear implants (CIs) require precise diagnostic procedures for optimal function.
• Electrophysiological measures are vital for assessing auditory nerve and pathway responses to electrical stimulation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the applications of electrical and electrophysiological diagnostic procedures in cochlear implant (CI) patients.
• To highlight the role of these procedures in evaluating electrode placement, auditory nerve coupling, and auditory pathway processing.

Main Methods:

• Measurement of electrically evoked compound action potentials (eCAPs) of the auditory nerve.
• Registration of electrically evoked auditory brainstem responses (eABRs).
• Assessment of electrically evoked auditory cortical potentials (eACPs).

Main Results:

• These electrophysiological potentials reflect auditory nerve excitation and stimulus processing along the ascending auditory pathway.
• Procedures are key for assessing electrode position and implant-auditory nerve coupling.
• Primary application is fitting CI speech processors in infants and toddlers using electrophysiological thresholds.

Conclusions:

• Electrophysiological diagnostics are indispensable tools in cochlear implant audiology.
• These methods provide objective measures for evaluating CI performance and auditory pathway function.
• Crucial for optimizing speech processor fitting, especially in pediatric populations.