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Updated: Aug 5, 2026
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Performing Repeated Intraoperative Impedance Telemetry Measurements during Cochlear Implantation
Published on: August 4, 2023
Electrode deactivation in cochlear implant users: impact on speech perception and objective measures
Carlos Alberto Conceição Santana Júnior1, Júlia Speranza Zabeu Fernandes2, Luiz Fernando Manzoni Lourençone2,3
1Hospital de Reabilitação de Anomalias Craniofaciais - HRAC, Universidade de São Paulo - USP - Bauru (SP), Brasil.
Codas
|July 29, 2026
Summary
Cochlear implant electrode deactivation did not impair speech recognition, despite causing electrical and physiological changes. This highlights the importance of personalized monitoring for cochlear implant users.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Neurosurgery
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Cochlear implants (CIs) are vital for hearing restoration.
- Electrode deactivation is sometimes necessary in CI management.
- Impact on auditory function and physiological responses requires investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess speech recognition changes after cochlear implant electrode deactivation.
- To evaluate modifications in electrical and physiological measurements post-deactivation.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 46 cochlear implant users across three manufacturers.
- Pre- and post-deactivation data: audiometry, speech recognition (silent and noisy conditions).
- Objective measures: impedance telemetry, electrically elicited stapedial reflex (eSRT), electrically evoked compound action potentials (ECAP).
Main Results:
- No significant functional impact on speech perception despite threshold changes at 1,000 and 4,000 Hz.
- Significant electrical/physiological changes: increased altered impedance (2.2% to 13%), reduced ECAP presence (53.8% to 28%).
- Limited eSRT data restricted analysis.
Conclusions:
- Clinically indicated electrode deactivation in cochlear implants does not compromise auditory performance.
- Deactivation is associated with measurable electrical and physiological alterations.
- Comprehensive monitoring and individualized patient management are crucial.