A new electrode for residual hearing preservation in cochlear implantation: first clinical results.
CONCLUSIONS
A so far unattained high rate (100%) of residual hearing preservation in cochlear implantation for electric-acoustic stimulation could be achieved using sophisticated surgical techniques in combination with the MedEl Flex EAS electrode.


OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to gather first audiological and surgical results from the experience gained with the new MedEl Flex EAS electrode array.


METHODS
Nine patients (aged 7.62-71.32 years) with profound high frequency hearing loss were supplied with this atraumatic electrode, which was designed to preserve residual hearing despite intracochlear insertion of an electrode array. All patients were implanted by the same surgeon.


RESULTS
Hearing preservation was achieved in all patients (complete preservation 44.44%) after a mean follow-up period of 9.73 months. Mean monosyllabic test scores improved from 9% correct with the hearing aid alone to 48% with the cochlear implant and to 65% in the electric-acoustic mode.
Gstoettner
Wolfgang
W
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. wolfgang.gstoettner@meduniwien.ac.at
Helbig
Silke
S
Settevendemie
Claudia
C
Baumann
Uwe
U
Wagenblast
Jens
J
Arnoldner
Christoph
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006309:Hearing; D006316:Hearing Loss, High-Frequency / Q000601:surgery*; D006320:Hearing Tests; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013067:Speech Perception; D016896:Treatment Outcome