Accurate setting of maximum comfort levels (MCL) during cochlear implant (CI) fitting is essential but subjective, especially in non-cooperative patients. The stapedius reflex (SR) correlates with the MCL and offers an objective measure. Surgical access to the stapedius muscle (SM) is challenging due to its proximity to the facial nerve and sigmoid sinus; a retrofacial approach is preferred....
This cadaveric feasibility study is too preliminary to change clinical cochlear implant fitting practice, but it demonstrates a potential robotic pathway for objective fitting in non-cooperative patients; no actionable change at this stage.
Objective, surgeon-independent cochlear implant fitting via robotic access to the stapedius reflex could eventually improve programming accuracy for non-cooperative patients such as young children or those with cognitive impairments.
- 01Cadaveric study tested robot-assisted retrofacial surgical access to the stapedius muscle.