Preliminary results and technique for electrophysiological intra-operative monitoring of residual hearing during cochlear implantation

Abstract

Intra-operative monitoring of residual hearing may be possible in most patients undergoing cochlear implantation. This pilot study suggests that cochleostomy is not associated with intra-operative loss of residual hearing; ECOG can be preserved during the procedure in most patients; intra-operative loss of hearing is most likely to occur when the tip of the array reaches the basal turn of the cochlea. This risk may increase if the array has to be removed and re-inserted. Suction of perilymph causes immediate changes, which may not recover.