The statement is based on 1) preliminary research and consultation by a steering committee selected for their relevant experience representing the professions of individuals working with cochlear implants; 2) presentations by representatives of this working group on issues relevant to the consensus questions during an open session at the Consensus Conference on Cochlear Implant Soft Failures held in conjunction with the 10 th Symposium on Cochlear Implantation in Children (Dallas, Texas, March 15-19, 2005); 3) closed deliberations by members of the steering committee; and 4) input from attendees during the open session of the Consensus Conference. This statement is an independent report and is not a policy statement of any organization.The statement reflects the panel's assessment of relevant information available at the time it was written. It is to be expected that new information and data constantly are being generated that may alter the recommendations of this panel. The list of references accompanying this report includes the primary sources used by the panelists in developing their preliminary statements (1-19). OBJECTIVESTo provide professionals working in all areas of cochlear implantation with a current consensus on the terminology, definition, diagnosis, and management of suspected cochlear implant malfunctions widely referred to as soft failures. PARTICIPANTSThe panels consisted of 18 individuals directly involved in development, manufacturing, and clinical application of cochlear implants. Representatives from the specialties of otolaryngology, audiology, bioengineering, speech and language pathology, communication sciences, and industry participated. Interactive presentations were made during an open session in the Consensus Conference to an audience of approximately 190 professionals.

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This Consensus Statement was prepared by a panel of experts representing the fields of otolaryngology, audiology, speech and language pathology, communication science and engineering. Representatives to the conference were appointed by professional organizations including the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, the American Otological Society, the American Neurotology Society, the William House Cochlear Implant Group, the British Cochlear Implant Group, and the European Academy of Otology and NeuroOtology.The statement is based on: (1) preliminary research and consultation by a steering committee selected for their relevant experience representing the professions of individuals working with cochlear implants; (2) The statement reflects the panel's assessment of relevant information available at the time it was written. It is to be expected that new information and data are constantly being generated that may alter the recommendations of this panel. The list of references accompanying this report includes the primary sources used by the panellists in developing their preliminary statements. ObjectivesTo provide professionals working in all areas of cochlear implantation with a current consensus on the terminology, definition, diagnosis and management of suspected cochlear implant malfunctions widely referred to as 'soft failures'. ParticipantsThe panels consisted of 19 individuals directly involved in development, manufacturing and clinical application of cochlear implants. Representatives from the specialties of otolaryngology, audiology, bioengineering, speech and language pathology, communication sciences and industry participated. Interactive presentations were made during an open session in the Consensus Conference to an audience of approximately 190 professionals. EvidenceThree separate panels composed of representatives from the several disciplines involved in cochlear implantation researched, discussed and formed a preliminary statement on one of three questions. Tw o further questions were added post-hoc. Data and peer-reviewed publications were prioritized over expert opinion. The three groups were charged with investigating relevant literature in this area, gathering clinical data and drawing on the experience of each of the selected members to develop a preliminary joint statement. These statements were presented in an open forum for consideration and discussion by interested attendees. ConsensusThe panel, answering three predefined questions and two post-hoc questions, developed its final consensus based on the evidence presented by each of the three committees as well as from pertinent attendee comments presented during the open forum. Consensus StatementThe steering committee composed a draft statement that was circulated to all panellists for comment. Conflicting positions were then resolved by the panel chairs, after which a summary statement was published in Otology and Neurotology and a full statement in Cochlear Implants International.