Contemporary imaging of auditory implants

Abstract

There have been significant advances in the diversity and effectiveness of hearing technologies in recent years. Implanted auditory devices may be divided into those that stimulate the cochlear hair cells (bone conduction devices and middle ear implants), and those that stimulate the neural structures (cochlear implants and central auditory implants). Contemporary preoperative and postoperative imaging may be used to help individualise implant selection, optimise surgical technique and predict auditory outcome. This review will introduce the concepts behind auditory implants, and explains how imaging is increasingly used to aid insertion and evaluation of these devices.