[Surgical technique in cochlear implantation]

Abstract

The cochlear implant (CI) has become a standard option for treating prelingually deaf children. But postlingual late deafness in adults is becoming increasingly common. In addition, hybrid implantation with a CI and a hearing aid in the same ear has come into focus, which demands a soft insertion technique that spares the apical parts of the cochlea. Also, the chorda tympani should be saved, especially in bilateral implantations, which are gaining importance because improved speech discrimination in noisy conditions is seen as proven today. Control of the electrode position intraoperatively with intraoperative computed tomography can further increase the safety and reliability of the position. The position and length of the skin incision is a more aesthetic issue. Future developments will include fully implantable CIs and navigation-assisted, minimally invasive drilling of a hole from the surface of the skull into the cochlea. Bioactive, neurotrophic-drug-releasing electrode designs for improved and sustainable connectivity to the neurons may become applicable.