Cochlear Implant Activation in the Immediate Postoperative Period in the Operating Room

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Neurosurgery
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Cochlear implant (CI) activation is typically performed around 30 days postoperatively (PO).
• This study explores immediate CI activation in the operating room (OR) under local anesthesia and sedation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an immediate hearing experience with a CI post-surgery.
• To assess auditory perception in the OR versus 30 days PO.
• To compare impedance telemetry (IT), neural response telemetry (NRT), and comfort (C) levels at these two time points.

Main Methods:

• Nine adult patients (12 ears) with acquired postlingual deafness participated.
• Auditory perception was tested using the Ling Six Sound Check, musical instruments, and clapping.
• IT, NRT threshold (t-NRT), and C levels were compared between OR and 30-day PO assessments.

Main Results:

• Patients demonstrated auditory detection and recognition responses while still in the OR.
• Significant differences were observed in IT, t-NRT, and C levels between the OR and 30-day PO evaluations.

Conclusions:

• Immediate auditory experience with a CI is feasible directly after surgery.
• Auditory experience, IT, NRT, and C values show significant variation between immediate post-operative and 30-day PO assessments.