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Stimulus-inadequate sensations in cochlear implant patients
E Bachor1, R Laszig, R D Battmer
1Department of Otolaryngology, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Germany.
Acta Oto-Laryngologica
|September 1, 1993
Summary
Over half of adult cochlear implant (CI) patients reported undesirable sensations. Radiography revealed pain linked to electrode contact with the middle ear, high-frequency sensations from nerve stimulation, and non-stimulation due to electrode damage.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Neurosurgery
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- The NUCLEUS 22 channel cochlear implant system (CI) was implanted in 56 adult patients between 1984 and 1987.
- 51% of patients reported undesirable sensations post-implantation, termed stimulus-inadequate sensations (SIS).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the causes of stimulus-inadequate sensations (SIS) in adult cochlear implant (CI) recipients.
- To correlate patient-reported sensations with radiographic findings of electrode placement.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 56 adult patients who received the NUCLEUS 22 channel CI.
- Radiographic investigation using polytomography in 23 patients experiencing SIS.
- Classification of SIS into pain-like, high-frequency, and non-stimulation types.
Main Results:
- Pain-like SIS correlated with electrical stimulation of tympanic cavity structures.
- High-frequency SIS suggested non-physiological stimulation of basal ganglion cells.
- Non-stimulation was likely caused by damaged electrodes or surrounding fibrosis.
- Conventional tomography effectively visualized intracochlear electrodes and their configuration.
Conclusions:
- SIS in cochlear implant (CI) patients have identifiable causes linked to electrode placement and function.
- Radiographic assessment, particularly conventional tomography, is crucial for diagnosing SIS causes.
- Understanding these correlations can guide future implant design and surgical techniques.