Next day cochlear implant switch-on: the New Zealand experience

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Otolaryngology
• Neurosurgery

Background:

• Cochlear implantation is a common treatment for severe to profound hearing loss.
• The timing of cochlear implant activation (switch-on) post-surgery can vary.
• Optimizing the cochlear implant activation protocol is crucial for patient outcomes and clinical efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the practice of next-day cochlear implant activation in adult recipients.
• To compare outcomes of early (next-day) versus delayed (three-week) cochlear implant activation.
• To assess the impact of activation timing on complications, device performance, and rehabilitation needs.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective observational study design.
• Inclusion of 167 adult cochlear implant recipients over a five-year period.
• Comparison of outcomes including early complications, electrode impedance, speech perception, and rehabilitation resources.

Main Results:

• Next-day activation did not increase wound or fitting complications.
• Early switch-on was associated with lower initial electrode impedance values.
• Fewer follow-up appointments and speech processor MAP adjustments were needed with earlier activation.
• No significant difference in speech perception outcomes between early and delayed activation groups.

Conclusions:

• Next-day cochlear implant activation is a safe and effective protocol.
• Early activation improves clinical efficiency by reducing follow-up requirements.
• Patient and clinician satisfaction is high with the next-day activation protocol.