First results of electrode reimplantation and its hypothetical dependence from artificial brain maturation

Abstract

Background After introducing the first Cochlear Implants also in children theses are grown with electrical intracochlear stimulation and subsequent auditory cortical development. Over the meantime the positioning of the electrode was changed orientated on the development of electrode design, ability to insert atraumatic and on the widening of the indications towards highfrequency deafness. Methods In this pilot study we analysed five prelingually deafened patients implanted as child in the late 90’s and had a reimplantation 2016 or later. We compared CT and DVT (cone beam CT) scans of the temporal bone and measured the insertion angle, the cochlear coverage, the total length of the electrode in the cochlea and the distance of the first active electrode to the round window. Moreover, we compared their speech understanding before and after reimplantation. Results The results show a lowering in the insertion angle, the cochlear coverage, the total length of the electrode in the cochlea, in the distance of the first active electrode to the round window and in the speech understanding after reimplantation. Conclusion These results show a difference in the depth of insertion while the speech understanding is not significantly improving in this group—although the technology is advanced. The influence of auditory maturation with CI in these patients will be discussed.

Cochlear reimplantation from mid‐scala to lateral wall electrode array: Surgical and hearing outcome

“…Literature reports that almost 25% of the total number of spiral ganglion neuronal bodies are distributed beyond the basal turn of the cochlea 9 . A recent report on CI reimplantation in five subjects implanted with the same CI but with shallower electrode array insertion in the reimplantation surgery resulted in inferior hearing performance compared to the first implantation 10 …”

“… 9 A recent report on CI reimplantation in five subjects implanted with the same CI but with shallower electrode array insertion in the reimplantation surgery resulted in inferior hearing performance compared to the first implantation. 10 …”

Cochlea-Implantation: Konzept, Therapieergebnisse und Lebensqualität

“…In the context of technological upgrades, i. e. technologically advanced cochlear implant system, better hearing results may be achieved under these circumstances 68 . In cases of prelingual deafness, also poorer hearing results may be found, especially significant differences in electrode position, electrode type, and speech processing strategy 71 . If the electrode position is different after reimplantation, for example with smaller cochlear coverage or insertion angle, the performance may be poorer.…”

Research Status and Future Development of Cochlear Reimplantation

“…Younger children were more likely to achieve or exceed their previous best performance than older children. The age at reimplantation, interval between the initial implantation and reimplantation, auditory input during the interval, depth of the electrode array, device activation, and device upgrade also influenced the postoperative effects ( Marlowe et al, 2010 ; Lenarz, 2017 ; Roßberg et al, 2021 ). However, no single study has systematically discussed these factors.…”