Relationships between ECAP amplitude growth functions and perceptual growth in cochlear implant users: Implications for individualized cochlear implant fitting

This study examined if the amplitude growth function (AGF) of the electrically evoked compound action potential (ECAP) can objectively predict the perceptual loudness growth function (LGF) in cochlear implant (CI) users.

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If ECAP amplitude growth functions show a meaningful correlation with perceptual loudness growth, audiologists may be able to use objective measures to streamline or partially automate cochlear implant fitting, reducing reliance on subjective patient feedback — worth monitoring for clinical translation.

Objective, patient-independent fitting tools for cochlear implants would be especially transformative for young children, non-verbal patients, and challenging fittings where reliable subjective responses are hard to obtain.

1. 01Study tests whether ECAP (electrically evoked compound action potential) growth functions objectively predict perceived loudness in CI users.
2. 02Published in Hearing Research, a leading peer-reviewed audiology and hearing science journal.
3. 03Individualized CI fitting is a recognized challenge; objective measures could reduce chair time and improve outcomes.
4. 04Findings have direct implications for audiologists performing cochlear implant mapping.
5. 05Strength of ECAP-to-perception correlation will determine real-world clinical utility.

PMID

42566843

DOI

10.1016/j.heares.2026.109764.

Journal

Hearing Research

Publication type

research_article

Evidence level

2b

Population

Cochlear implant users

Intervention

ECAP (electrically evoked compound action potential) amplitude growth function measurement

Comparator

Perceptual loudness growth measures (behavioral)