Do different types of cochlear implant electrode influence hearing preservation and speech perception?

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Audiology

Background:

• Cochlear implantation can preserve low-frequency hearing, but optimal electrode selection for hearing preservation and speech perception remains debated.
• Understanding electrode performance is crucial for managing hearing outcomes in cochlear implant recipients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate hearing preservation and speech discrimination one year post-implantation across various cochlear implant electrode types in adult patients.
• To identify the most effective electrode for maximizing hearing preservation and maintaining speech perception.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective analysis of adult patients implanted between 2014 and 2022.
• Hearing preservation was quantified using the HEARING group formula (minimal, partial, complete).
• Speech perception was assessed via monosyllabic word recognition.

Main Results:

• FLEX 24 electrodes demonstrated statistically significant better hearing preservation compared to FLEX 28, FLEX soft, and contour advance electrodes (p < 0.05).
• FLEX 20 electrodes also showed statistically significant better hearing preservation than contour advance electrodes (p < 0.05).
• No significant differences in monosyllabic word scores were observed among the different electrode types.

Conclusions:

• Electrode type significantly influences hearing preservation in cochlear implant patients, with specific models like FLEX 24 and FLEX 20 offering advantages.
• Speech perception outcomes were not significantly affected by the electrode type used.
• Findings provide valuable data for pre-operative patient counseling regarding hearing preservation expectations with cochlear implants.