Intracochlear Factors Contributing to Psychophysical Percepts Following Cochlear Implantation

The performance of cochlear implant patients may be related to intracochlear, histopathological factors. We have performed detailed post-mortem examinations of five human, implanted cochleas and for each electrode correlated the psychophysical threshold, comfortable level and dynamic range with spiral ganglion cell survival, presence of fibrous tissue and/or new bone, and distance between the centers of the electrode bands and Rosenthal's canal. The psychophysical parameters were strongly interrelated. Threshold and comfort levels correlated with the distance between the electrodes and Rosenthal's canal. Threshold levels also correlated with the presence of intracochlear fibrous tissue and new bone, especially with the former. The dynamic range showed a negative correlation with intracochlear pathology, especially with new bone. Comfort levels and dynamic range were related to spiral ganglion cell survival. The distance between the electrodes and the modiolus increased with increasing levels of fibrous tissue and new bone. Spiral ganglion cell survival was decreased with increasing levels of fibrous tissue and new bone.