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Updated: Dec 13, 2025
Author Spotlight: Advancements in Impedance Monitoring for Cochlear Implant Surgery
Published on: August 4, 2023
Increase in cochlear implant electrode impedances with the use of electrical stimulation
Aniket A Saoji1, Weston J Adkins1, Amy P Olund1
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Mayo Clinic School of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA.
Objective:
Electrode impedances play a critical role in cochlear implant programming. It has been previously shown that impedances rise during periods of non-use, such as the post-operative recovery period. Then when the device is activated and use is initiated, impedances fall and are typically stable. In this study, we report a new pattern where electrode impedances increase with device use and decrease with device rest.
Design:
Electrode impedances were measured three to four times every day over a span of 1-3 months for two cochlear implant patients.
Study Sample:
Two patients with a Nucleus cochlear implant participated in this study.
Results:
Both subjects in this study show wide fluctuations in electrode impedances. By taking serial electrode impedance measurements throughout a day of use, we observe that electrode impedances consistently increase with device use and decrease with device rest.
Conclusion:
In this study, we report two cases of electrode impedances increasing as a function of device use. Numerous management strategies were employed to reduce this effect but none prevailed; a clear pathophysiologic mechanism remains elusive. Further study into the cause of this electrode impedance pattern is warranted to establish a management strategy for these cochlear implant users.
