Resolution of facial stimulation in otosclerotic cochlear implants.

OBJECTIVES

We examined the incidence of facial nerve stimulation in a population of patients with otosclerosis implanted with the Nucleus 22, Clarion 1.2, or Clarion High Focus (CHF) device.

STUDY DESIGN AND

SETTING

A retrospective chart review was used for 147 patients who had been implanted with electronic cochlear devices at the University of Minnesota between June 1986 and February 2001. Seventy-four patients were implanted with the Nucleus 22, 41 patients were implanted with the Clarion 1.2 (without a positioner), and 32 patients were implanted with the CHF I or II.

RESULTS

Eleven (14.9%) of the 74 patients implanted with the Nucleus 22 device had facial stimulation. There were 9 patients with otosclerosis. Seven (78%) of the 9 patients with otosclerosis had facial stimulation. One (2.4%) of the 41 patients implanted with the Clarion 1.2 device (without a positioner) had facial stimulation and that 1 (100%) patient in the group had otosclerosis. There were 4 patients in the CHF group with otosclerosis. One patient experienced stimulation, but it was possible to decrease maximum current levels and still use the electrode pair.

CONCLUSION

Facial stimulation appears to be less problematic in patients with otosclerosis implanted with the CHF devices.