Efficacy of using NRT thresholds in cochlear implants fitting, in prelingual pediatric patients

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of using neural response telemetry (NRT) thresholds in predicting behavioural thresholds during programming of cochlear implant in prelingual children. METHOD: Prospective study of 28 cochlear implants implanted with Nucleus 24 cochlear implant. We recorded NRT-thresholds on electrode numbers 1, 6, 11, 16 and 22 of the electrode array in each patient, the neural response thresholds were correlated with the behavioural map after six months of programming the device. RESULTS: The mean neural response telemetry level was significantly higher than the mean threshold level (T-level) but lower than the comfortable level (C-level) in all the electrodes tested. NRT levels could statistically significantly predict T behavioural levels and comfortable behavioural levels, p < 0.01. There was a strong positive correlation between comfortable thresholds and neural response telemetry level measurements and behavioural threshold level and neural response telemetry threshold measurements. CONCLUSION: There is a useful role for neural response telemetry values in predicting the behavioural threshold and comfortable values in prelingual children. Combining the NRT values with behavioural observations can improve the programming of cochlear implants.