Cochlear implant device activation after 7 days in cochlear implant recipients.

INTRODUCTION: Cochlear implantation (CI) has become widely accepted as a safe and effective treatment in the clinically routine for patients, who suffer from severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss. The general recommendation for speech processor activation was 4 weeks after cochlear implantation. The aim of the study was to investigate whether cochlear implantation activation is possible 7-day postoperation.

METHODS: A total of 54 patients undergoing CI surgery were recruited to participate in this study. Participants were divided into 2 groups: an early-fit group (n = 34) whose devices were activated 7 days after surgery and standard-fit group (n = 20) whose devices were activated after 4 weeks post surgery. Measures of impedance and maximum comfortable loudness (MCL) levels were used to compare differences across the two groups. Data were measured at the initial stimulation session and also at 4 weeks after the initial stimulation session. Impedance values of intraoperative tests were also measured. Aided hearing threshold was measured 4 weeks after initial activation for both groups.

RESULTS: No adverse events were reported post-operatively. These differences in impedance were observed across the two groups in the first mapping session but not in the intraoperative tests and follow-up session for each channel. There were no statistically significant differences between MCL in initial stimulation session and follow-up session between the two groups. There was no significant difference in aided hearing threshold postoperatively between the two groups.

CONCLUSION: The results in the current study demonstrated that the early activation at 7-day post cochlear implantation did not impact the healing process of the incision site or the evolution of the impedance and stimulation levels. That early activation of the CI is safe and feasible.