Individual data from the 3M/Vienna extracochlear implant

Five patients who received the 3M/Vienna extracochlear implant were given a standard battery of tests before and after implantation. Pure-tone audiograms, hearing aid evaluation, and promontory threshold and dynamic range stimulation were conducted to evaluate implant candidacy and to determine whether a particular patient met the criteria for inclusion in the study. Speech reading tests were also given before implantation. Postimplantation testing consisted of thresholds and tolerance levels for pure tones and speech reading with and without acoustic stimulation. Tests on environmental sounds, speech discrimination, and word discrimination were scored. Minimal Auditory Capabilities (MAC) Battery scores were determined on MAC, I, II, IV, V, VII, VIII, and XII subtests over several time intervals (sessions). The hearing results varied greatly among patients. All five patients expressed satisfaction and are presently wearing their units.