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Intraoperative and postoperative electrically evoked auditory brain stem responses in nucleus cochlear implant users:
C J Brown1, P J Abbas, H Fryauf-Bertschy
1University of Iowa, Department Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Iowa City.
Ear and Hearing
|April 1, 1994
Summary
Electrically evoked auditory brain stem responses (EABR) in cochlear implant users show strong correlations with behavioral hearing levels. Intraoperative EABR thresholds were higher than post-surgery measurements, informing implant programming for children.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Cochlear implants are crucial for hearing restoration in severe to profound hearing loss.
- Electrophysiological measures like EABR provide objective insights into auditory nerve function.
- Accurate programming of cochlear implants is essential for optimal patient outcomes, especially in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between Electrically Evoked Auditory Brainstem Responses (EABR) and behavioral hearing thresholds in Nucleus cochlear implant users.
- To compare intraoperative and post-operative EABR thresholds.
- To assess the utility of EABR in developing practical programming strategies for pediatric cochlear implant recipients.
Main Methods:
- EABR thresholds were measured in 12 adults and 14 children using Nucleus cochlear implants.
- Measurements were conducted both during surgery and several months post-implantation.
- EABR thresholds were compared with behavioral T-levels (threshold) and C-levels (maximum comfort).
Main Results:
- EABR thresholds were consistently higher than behavioral T-levels but lower than C-levels.
- A strong correlation was observed between EABR thresholds and both T- and C-levels across subjects and electrodes.
- Intraoperative EABR thresholds were significantly higher than post-implant thresholds.
Conclusions:
- EABR thresholds provide a reliable electrophysiological correlate to behavioral hearing levels in cochlear implant users.
- The observed differences between intraoperative and post-implant EABR suggest neural adaptation or changes in device function over time.
- EABR measurements offer a valuable tool for refining cochlear implant programming, particularly for young children who cannot reliably provide behavioral responses.