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Updated: Jul 4, 2025
Author Spotlight: Optimizing EAS with Long Electrodes for Enhanced Cochlear Coverage and Hearing Preservation
Published on: October 11, 2024
Hearing preservation in paediatric cochlear implantation with the Nucleus Slim Straight Electrode - our experience
Simone Schaefer1, Mark Sladen2, Jaya Nichani1
1Department of Paediatric Otolaryngology, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK.
Insights
Cochlear implantation with the Slim Straight Electrode (SSE) in children successfully preserves hearing in over 94% of cases. This method maintains functional hearing, offering a high success rate for pediatric hearing preservation.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Audiology
- Pediatric Surgery
Background:
- Hearing preservation after cochlear implantation (HPCI) is a key goal in pediatric audiology.
- The Cochlear Nucleus® Slim Straight Electrode (SSE) is utilized in attempts to preserve hearing during implantation.
- Establishing reliable outcomes for HPCI is crucial for guiding clinical practice and patient counseling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the success of hearing preservation and functional hearing maintenance in children undergoing cochlear implantation using the SSE.
- To assess the long-term efficacy of the SSE in pediatric HPCI.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 56 pediatric patients (94 cochlear implants) who underwent attempted hearing preservation surgery with the SSE between 2013 and 2023.
- Inclusion criteria included pre-operative hearing thresholds ≤80dBHL at 250 Hz and implantation before 18 years of age.
- Hearing preservation was assessed using the HEARRING group formula, with functional hearing defined as ≤80dBHL at 250 Hz or <90dB LFPTA.
Main Results:
- Hearing preservation was achieved in 94.7% (89/94) of implanted ears, with complete preservation in 72% (68/94).
- Average functional hearing was preserved in 89% of cases.
- Long-term follow-up (average 35.2 months) for 36 ears showed 88.9% (32/36) maintained complete hearing preservation.
Conclusions:
- The SSE reliably achieves and maintains a high success rate for hearing preservation in the pediatric population.
- Standardization of outcome reporting in HPCI research is recommended to enhance evidence for clinicians and families.
- The SSE is an effective tool for pediatric cochlear implantation when hearing preservation is a primary objective.
Objective:
to evaluate the levels of successful hearing preservation and preservation of functional hearing following cochlear implantation (HPCI) in children using the Cochlear Nucleus® Slim Straight Electrode (SSE).
Design:
retrospective case note review of paediatric HPCI cases in our CI centre from 2013 to 2023. Inclusion criteria were attempted hearing preservation surgery, SSE used for implantation, pre-operative hearing thresholds ≤80dBHL at 250 Hz, CI before 18 years of age. Patients were excluded if no postoperative unaided PTA was obtained (poor attendance). Primairy outcome was hearing preservation using the HEARRING group formula; secondary outcome was residual functional hearing (≤80dBHL at 250 Hz/<90dB LFPTA).
Study Sample:
56 patients with 94 CI's were included for review.
Results:
Hearing preservation was achieved in 94.7% (89/94) of ears and complete preservation in 72% (68/94)). Average functional hearing was preserved in 89% using both criteria for preservation. Long-term follow up data was available for 36 ears (average 35.2 months), demonstrating 88.9% (32/36) complete preservation.
Conclusion:
We have reliably achieved and maintained a high success rate of HPCI using the SSE in our paediatric population. The field of HPCI would benefit from unification of outcome reporting in order to optimise the evidence available to professionals, patients and their carers.
