Speech perception performance of nucleus multichannel cochlear implant users with partial electrode insertions
K I Kirk1, M Sehgal, R T Miyamoto
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, USA.
Objective:
The present investigation examined the speech perception performance of five children with ossified cochleas who received partial insertions of the Nucleus 22-channel cochlear implant.
Design:
The partial-insertion subjects' preimplant and 1.5 yr postimplant performance on a battery of speech perception tests was compared to the average performance of age-matched control subjects who received full electrode insertions. All the partial-insertion subjects were fit with their Nucleus cochlear implant between the ages of 2 and 5 yr, and had used their device for at least 1.5 yr. More extended comparisons also were made for the two partial-insertion subjects who had used their cochlear implants for a longer period of time.
Results:
The subjects with partial electrode insertions performed similarly to the control group at both the preimplant and 1.5 yr postimplant intervals. Furthermore, the partial-insertion subjects showed continued improvements in speech perception performance with increased device experience past 1.5 yr, again similar to the full-insertion control group.
Conclusions:
The present results suggest that partial insertion of a multichannel implant device is an appropriate and feasible approach to the surgical management and auditory rehabilitation of children with extensive or complete ossification of the cochlea.
