Facial nerve stimulation after cochlear implantation: our experience

Post-implantation facial nerve stimulation is one of the best known and most frequent complications of the cochlear implant procedure. Some conditions, such as otosclerosis and cochlear malformations, as well as high stimulation levels that may be necessary in patients with long auditory deprivation, expose patients to a higher risk of developing post-implant facial nerve stimulation. Facial nerve stimulation can frequently be resolved with minimal changes in speech processor fitting but, in some cases, this can lead to a reduction in the outcome. A retrospective review has been made of the clinical features of 11 patients (out of 119 patients consecutively implanted, from 1999 to 2007, at the ENT Clinic of the University of Pisa) who developed post-implantation facial nerve stimulation.