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Systematic Hearing Performance Evaluation Process for Adolescents with Cochlear Implantation at Early Ages
Published on: March 24, 2023
423
Long-Term Hearing Outcomes After Hybrid Cochlear Implantation
Mandy K Salmon1, Alexandra E Quimby1, Michael Bartellas2
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Summary
Hybrid cochlear implantation shows good long-term preservation of low-frequency hearing. Most patients maintained their residual hearing, with only a small percentage experiencing loss over time.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Otolaryngology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Hybrid cochlear implantation combines acoustic stimulation for low frequencies and electrical stimulation for high frequencies.
- Preserving residual low-frequency hearing is crucial for optimizing speech perception in patients with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term (>5 years) preservation of low-frequency hearing after hybrid cochlear implantation.
- To identify factors associated with the loss of residual low-frequency hearing.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cross-sectional study of 29 patients (30 ears) implanted with a Cochlear Hybrid L24 device.
- Low-frequency pure-tone average (LFPTA) changes were tracked post-implantation.
- Kaplan-Meier estimates and hazard ratios were calculated to assess hearing preservation and associated factors.
Main Results:
- Mean preoperative LFPTA was 31.7 dB; no hearing loss was observed at the first follow-up.
- Over the long term, 80% of patients retained hearing at 48 months.
- No significant association was found between hearing loss and patient age, preoperative LFPTA, surgeon, or intraoperative steroid use.
Conclusions:
- Hybrid cochlear implantation demonstrates favorable long-term low-frequency hearing preservation.
- A modest decline in hearing is observed over time, with a low incidence of residual hearing loss.
- This approach effectively maintains residual low-frequency hearing in the majority of patients.
