Packing of the Cochleostomy Site Affects Auditory Nerve Response Thresholds in Precurved Off-Stylet Cochlear Implants

Abstract

Packing of the cochleostomy causes changes in ECAP thresholds evoked by mid and basal areas of the implant electrode array. These findings suggest that packing shifts the electrode array in the cochlea, increasing the distance from the modiolus in the mid array and decreasing this distance at the basal end. This study is concerned with a single electrode array from a single manufacturer and a single insertion method (precurved off-stylet electrode). These conclusions may be too broad to apply to all precurved electrode arrays.