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Updated: May 25, 2025
Author Spotlight: Optimizing EAS with Long Electrodes for Enhanced Cochlear Coverage and Hearing Preservation
Published on: October 11, 2024
Cochlear implantation with Slim Modiolar Electrode carriers enables hearing preservation
Kenan Dennis Sakmen1, Christian Issing1, Caterina Vazzana1
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany.
Purpose:
To investigate hearing preservation in patients who received a cochlear implant with a preformed electrode carrier, namely the Slim Modiolar (SM).
Methods:
A monocentric, retrospective study was conducted. A total of 51 adult patients (24 females, 27 males), representing 60 ears, were included in the final evaluation. The mean age was 60.9 ± 15.2 years (range 17.5-89.7 years). All patients had some degree of residual hearing. Frequency-specific pure-tone audiometry was performed at three time points: preoperatively (T0), within 30 days postoperatively (T1), and at a later time point during follow-up (T2; 20.7 ± 17.6 months). Low frequency pure tone average and the HEARRING group formula were used to facilitate comparison of hearing preservation rates with other results published so far.
Results:
In the first month after surgery, no significant deterioration was observed for the low frequencies, but a significant deterioration was observed at follow-up. Using the HEARRING classification system, the average short-term (T0-T1) hearing preservation score was 70%, which corresponds to partial hearing preservation. During follow-up (T0-T2), the score decreased to 61% in the study group, still representing partial hearing preservation. Complete hearing loss occurred in 20% of the cases.
Conclusion:
Especially in the low frequency range, the utilisation of SM electrode carriers during cochlear implantation facilitates preservation of residual hearing.
