Speech perception performance of nucleus multichannel cochlear implant users with partial electrode insertions.
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.


METHODS
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.
Kirk
K I
KI
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, USA.
Sehgal
M
M
Miyamoto
R T
RT
D002675:Child, Preschool; D019929:Cochlear Implantation; D003638:Deafness / Q000601:surgery*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013063:Speech Discrimination Tests; D013067:Speech Perception; D013997:Time Factors