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. 2024 Jan;281(1):61-66.
doi: 10.1007/s00405-023-08076-9. Epub 2023 Jul 7.

Early fitting in cochlear implant surgery: preliminary results

Arianna Soncini  1 , Sebastiano Franzini  2 , Francesca Di Marco  3 , Pasquale Riccardi  3 , Andrea Bacciu  2 , Enrico Pasanisi  2 , Filippo Di Lella  2
Affiliations

Early fitting in cochlear implant surgery: preliminary results

Arianna Soncini et al. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2024 Jan.

Abstract

Purpose: Cochlear implants are usually activated 3-5 weeks after surgery; to date, no universal protocol exists regarding switch on and fitting of these devices. The aim of the study was to assess safety and functional results of activation and fitting of cochlear implant within 24 h following surgery.

Methods: In this retrospective case-control study, 15 adult patients who underwent cochlear implant surgery, for a total of 20 cochlear implant procedures were analyzed. In particular, clinical safety and feasibility were investigated by examinating patients at activation and at each follow-up. Values of electrodes' impedance and most comfortable loudness (MCL) were analyzed from the time of surgery to 12 months after activation. Free-field pure tone average (PTA) was also recorded.

Results: No major or minor complications were reported and all patients could perform the early fitting. Activation modality influenced impedance values only in the short term but the differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Mean MCL values in the early fitting group were lower than MCL of the late fitting in all follow-up sessions, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The mean PTA was lower in the early fitting group but the difference was not statistically significant (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: Early fitting of cochlear implants is safe, allows for an early rehabilitation and can have possible beneficial effects on stimulation levels and dynamic range.

Keywords: Activation; Cochlear implant; Early fitting; Electrophysiology; Impedance; Most comfortable loudness.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Mean cumulative relative impedance growth (electrodes 1–16) expressed in kOhm at each follow-up for study and control groups, by setting the activation value equal to 0. Measures were performed intraoperatively, at activation and at 1–6–12 months after surgery
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Single electrode mean impedance values at each follow-up in late fitting [LF, (a)] and early fitting [EF, (b)] groups
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Mean cumulative relative MCL growth (electrodes 1–16) expressed in current unit at each follow-up for study and control groups, by setting the activation value equal to 0
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Average MCL per electrode in [LF, (a)] and early fitting [EF, (b)] groups at 1–6–12 months after surgery
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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