Rare Problems with Rotating Magnets in Cochlear Implants and How They Can Be Solved Without Surgery

Objective: To report on a series of three cases in which problems with rotating magnets (blocked rotation, demagnetization) occurred in cochlear implants and to resolve these problems without surgical intervention. Methods: Of the 3635 devices with rotating magnets implanted at this tertiary referral hospital, 2 exhibited rotation blockage (associated with misalignment of the coil or audio processor), and 1 was partially demagnetized in a 1.5 T MRI scanner. Results: One blockage resolved spontaneously without intervention. The second blockage was resolved in the static field of a 3T MRI scanner, where the demagnetized magnet was also re-magnetized to its original strength. Surgical intervention or re-implantation was not necessary in either case. Conclusions: Surgical intervention or re-implantation is not primarily required in the event of problems with the rotating implant magnet. Prior to surgery, technical analysis can lead to a conservative solution.