Comparison of electrode sites in electrical stimulation of the cochlea

There is considerable controversy about the "best" location for single channel cochlear implant electrodes. We measured the electrically induced auditory brain stem response (EABR) in a series of normal to totally denervated cat ears in response to promontory (P), round window (RW) and scala tympani (ST) stimulation. The status of the ganglion cell population was then assessed by light microscopy. In ears with light to medium ganglion cell loss the ST EABR yielded the most definitive input-output functions. RW responses were present at increased thresholds and smaller peak amplitudes. P responses were worse or even missing completely. In severely damaged ears, including some with no detectable ganglion cells, ST and RW EABRs were both markedly reduced with considerable overlap between the two sites. P responses, when present, were almost buried in the electrical noise near threshold. Extrapolating these results to humans suggests that when ganglion cell loss is very severe the RW or ST is an acceptable stimulation site. When ganglion cell loss is moderate or better, ST electrodes are superior.