Explantation of a nucleus multichannel cochlear implant and re-implantation into the contralateral ear. A case report of a new strategy.

We present a unique case in which a multichannel cochlear implant device was explanted and the same device was re-implanted into the contralateral ear. A patient with bilateral total deafness secondary to head injury received an implant in his left ear but developed severe facial nerve stimulation. Because this stimulation could not be eliminated effectively with change of programming, it was decided to implant the contralateral ear. Since the device itself was functioning well, it was explanted from the left ear and re-implanted successfully into the right ear. Facial nerve stimulation was minimal in this ear and the patient demonstrated very good speech discrimination. To our knowledge, this is the first description of this strategy.