Patients with Mondini deformty: is standard electrode necessary?

The aim of this study is to compare the results of auditory perception tests and speech sound evaluations with electrode array length in patients with Mondini deformity.

The study included 14 patients who underwent cochlear implantation and radiologically confirmed Mondini deformity between 2007 and 2021 in our clinic. While 7 patients received standard electrode arrays from the MED-EL brand, the remaining 7 received shortened electrode arrays from the MED-EL brand. Differences in auditory perception, articulation, and speech intelligibility between the two groups were examined. Auditory perception tests were administered to these patients preoperatively and at least 2 years after cochlear implant surgery. The patients' auditory perception performance was evaluated using single, double, and triple closed-set word tests (MTP-3, MTP-6, MTP-12), two-syllable open-set word test, Glendonald Auditory Screening Procedure (GASP) tests for articulation, Phonemic Synthesis Test (SST) for phonemic knowledge, and Speech Intelligibility Rating (SIR) test for speech intelligibility.

Both groups did not show statistically significant differences in auditory perception tests (MTP-3, MTP-6, MTP-12, two-syllable open-set word test), speech sound tests (SST), and speech intelligibility test (SIR). Significant improvement was observed in all tests in both groups when compared preoperatively and postoperatively.

No significant difference was observed in auditory perception and speech sound tests between groups with short and standard electrode arrays in patients with Mondini deformity. The option of using short electrode arrays during implantation in patients with Mondini deformity can be preferred without doubt in terms of outcomes.