Hearing Preservation After Cochlear Implantation with the Advanced Bionics HiFocus™ SlimJ Electrode Array.

BACKGROUND

Successful cochlear implantation depends on many factors, one of which is the electrode type. The aim of this study was to evaluate it in terms of the preservation of residual hearing, as well as to investigate the effects of patient age and preoperative low-frequency hearing loss.

METHODS

Twenty-three patients were implanted unilaterally with the HiFocus™ SlimJ electrode array. Pure tone audiometry (0.125-8 kHz) was performed preoperatively and at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. Hearing preservation was established using the HEARRING group formula.

RESULTS

Residual hearing was preserved in all patients. For hearing to be preserved, it was found that preoperative low-frequency hearing levels were more important than age.

CONCLUSION

Residual hearing was preserved in all the patients who received the HiFocus™ SlimJ electrode array. Hearing preservation depended more on a patient's preoperative low-frequency hearing threshold than their age.