Over-the-fence cochlear implantation: is it worthwhile?
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study was to estimate the upper limit of speech perception for cochlear implant candidates.


METHODS
A retrospective chart review of more than 700 cochlear implant users was conducted.


METHODS
All patients received their implant through the Quebec Cochlear Implant Program, which is a hospital- and rehabilitation centre-based program.


METHODS
Charts from patients with preimplantation sentence recognition performance exceeding 40% were selected. Postoperative performance was compared with preoperative results.


METHODS
Sentence and word recognition was assessed with a multimedia auditory test battery.


RESULTS
Comparison of pre- and postimplantation sentence recognition in the best aided condition shows some theoretical gain up to a 80 to 85% score for in-quiet sentence recognition tests before the surgery. Comparison of preimplantation sentence recognition in the best aided condition and postimplantation word recognition with the implant alone shows some gain up to a 60% score for in-quiet sentence recognition tests before the surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
The speech perception selection criteria can confidently be expanded to 60% from a conservative perspective and even up to the 80% range if the use of a contralateral hearing aid is highly expected.
Tremblay
Geneviàve
G
Institut de réadaptation en déficience physique de Québec, Quebec City, Canada.
Bergeron
François
F
Ferron
Pierre
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000592:standards*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006309:Hearing / Q000502:physiology*; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D013067:Speech Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome