Auditory performance of children with cochlear ossification and partial implant insertion.
The management of the profoundly deaf child with a cochlear implant poses a special challenge, particularly when total ossification of the cochlea is present. In this setting, insertion of an electrode array into a child's cochlea is often difficult. Our experience supports the feasibility of partial insertion of a multichannel implant into the basal turn of an ossified cochlea. Five children with ossified cochleae who had undergone partial implantation of a multichannel electrode were compared with the performance of matched controls who had full insertion of multichannel implants. No dramatic differences were detected during a 6- to 18-month follow-up period on selected test measures. These preliminary results suggest that active electrode number may exert a limited effect on performance with a cochlear implant. Drilling out the basal turn of an ossified cochlea in conjunction with partial insertion of a multichannel implant appears to be an acceptable surgical and rehabilitational alternative for placement of a cochlear implant prosthesis in children with complete cochlear ossification.
Kemink
J L
JL
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor 48109-0312.
Zimmerman-Phillips
S
S
Kileny
P R
PR
Firszt
J B
JB
Novak
M A
MA
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015834:Cochlear Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D003638:Deafness / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004566:Electrodes; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006309:Hearing / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007762:Labyrinthitis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D009999:Ossification, Heterotopic / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010046:Oval Window, Ear / Q000601:surgery; D010700:Phonetics; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D013016:Sound; D013067:Speech Perception / Q000502:physiology