Category: Cochlear Implant

Single-Sided Deafness (SSD) and Cochlear Implants: Modern Evidence, Indications, and Clinical Management

Single-Sided Deafness (SSD) and Cochlear Implants: Modern Evidence, Indications, and Clinical Management

Single-sided deafness (SSD), characterized by severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss in one ear while the contralateral ear exhibits normal or near-normal hearing, has traditionally been undervalued for its functional implications. For decades, sufferers were informed that SSD was “not serious,” “not treatable,” or “not worthy of implantable solutions.” Current research indicates that SSD substantially influences spatial…

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Objective Measures in Cochlear Implant Programming: ECAP, ESRT, EABR, and Their Clinical Interpretation

Objective Measures in Cochlear Implant Programming: ECAP, ESRT, EABR, and Their Clinical Interpretation

Cochlear implant (CI) programming has conventionally depended on behavioral responses to ascertain threshold (T-level) and maximum acceptable loudness (C- or M-level) settings. This strategy is crucial for enhancing patient outcomes; nevertheless, behavioral testing is not always practical or dependable, especially in babies, individuals with various disabilities, non-responsive patients, and specific clinical situations where behavioral input…

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Electro-Acoustic Stimulation (EAS): Hybrid Hearing Solutions for Patients With Residual Low-Frequency Hearing

Electro-Acoustic Stimulation (EAS): Hybrid Hearing Solutions for Patients With Residual Low-Frequency Hearing

Electro-acoustic stimulation (EAS), commonly known as hybrid cochlear implantation, has emerged as a significant alternative for individuals exhibiting a distinct audiometric profile—specifically, effective low-frequency hearing coupled with pronounced high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss. This pattern is prevalent in people with noise-induced hearing loss, presbycusis, and specific hereditary or idiopathic causes. As clinical practice evolves towards hearing…

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Cochlear Implant Surgical Techniques, Insertion Approaches, and Intraoperative Monitoring: A Comprehensive Guide for Clinicians

Cochlear Implant Surgical Techniques, Insertion Approaches, and Intraoperative Monitoring: A Comprehensive Guide for Clinicians

The surgical procedure for cochlear implants (CIs) has advanced considerably in the past twenty years. A treatment that initially followed a conventional protocol has evolved into a highly personalized, technology-enhanced surgical domain featuring various insertion techniques, adaptable electrode arrays, and advanced intraoperative monitoring instruments. With the expansion of implant indications to encompass single-sided deafness, asymmetric…

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Cochlear Implant Outcomes in Older Adults: Clinical Evidence, Considerations, and Best Practices for Optimizing Performance

Cochlear Implant Outcomes in Older Adults: Clinical Evidence, Considerations, and Best Practices for Optimizing Performance

The aging global population is leading to a rise in the number of elderly individuals with moderate to profound hearing loss. Untreated sensory deprivation in this population results in communication challenges, social isolation, increased risk of falls, cognitive decline, and reduced quality of life. Cochlear implants (CIs), once considered appropriate mostly for youth and children,…

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