Residual low-frequency hearing after early device activation in cochlear implantation

PURPOSE: The cochlear implant (CI) is a standard treatment for patients with severe to profound hearing loss. In recent years, early device activation of the sound processor after 2–3 days following surgery has been established. The aim of this study is to evaluate the residual hearing of CI patients with substantial preoperative low-frequency hearing after early device activation over a period of 12 months. METHODS: Results were compared between an early fitted group (EF) with device activation to less than 15 days after CI surgery and a control group (CG) with device activation after 3–6 weeks. In total, 57 patients were divided into EF group (n = 32), and CG (n = 25). Low-frequency residual hearing and speech recognition in quiet and in noise were compared over an observation period of 12 months. RESULTS: No significant difference (p > 0.05) in the residual low-frequency hearing PTA(low) between EF and CG was found, neither preoperatively (EF 33.2 dB HL/CG 35.0 dB HL), nor postoperatively (EF 46.8 dB HL/CG 46.2 dB HL). In both groups, postoperative residual hearing decreased compared to preoperative and remained stable within the first year after CI surgery. Furthermore, both groups showed no significant differences (p > 0.05) in speech recognition in quiet and in noise within the first year. CONCLUSION: Early device activation is feasible in CI patients with preoperative low-frequency residual hearing, without an additional effect on postoperative hearing preservation.