Speech Intelligibility and Spectral Resolution Results in Cochlear Implant Users With and Without Inner Ear Malformations and the Effect of Angular Insertion Depth

This study aimed to compare speech perception in noise and spectral resolution between CI users with normal cochlea and those with inner ear malformations (IEMs) and to examine the relationship between angular insertion depth (AID).

Audiologists fitting cochlear implants in patients with inner ear malformations should monitor speech-in-noise and spectral resolution outcomes separately from standard-anatomy patients; electrode angular insertion depth may be an important fitting variable to optimize in this population.

Understanding how inner ear malformations and electrode insertion depth jointly affect cochlear implant outcomes can guide surgical planning and device programming to improve hearing results in a challenging patient group.

1. 01Study compared speech intelligibility in noise between CI users with normal cochleae and those with inner ear malformations.
2. 02Spectral resolution (the ability to distinguish different sound frequencies) was also assessed across both groups.
3. 03Angular insertion depth of the electrode array was examined as a predictor of performance.
4. 04Inner ear malformation patients may show different performance profiles than standard-anatomy CI users.
5. 05Published in Otology & Neurotology (DOI: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000004996).

PMID

42430789

DOI

10.1097/MAO.0000000000004996.

Journal

Otology & Neurotology

Publication type

research_article

Evidence level

3

Population

Cochlear implant users with normal cochlear anatomy and those with inner ear malformations

Intervention

Cochlear implantation; electrode angular insertion depth as a study variable

Comparator

Cochlear implant users with normal cochleae