Clinical Analysis Of Multichannel Cochlear Implant In Eleven Cases

Objective To investigate the operation of cochlear implant and to study the indications of multichannel cochlear implant, methods of the operation, postoperative mapping of cochlear speech processor, audition and speech or language skills rehabilitation as well as the clinical effects after collecting and analysing the clinical datum about severe or profound sensorineural deaf patients who were implanted multichannel cochlear prothesis.Methods There were 11 severe or profound sensorineural deaf patients (6 males and 5 females) with ages from 1.3 to 19 years old. Among these patients 10 cases were prelingually deaf and 1 case were postlingually deaf. The cause of deafness was drug-poisoning in 4 cases , inherited in 2 cases and congenital in 5 cases without indefinite reasons. All patients were implanted multichannel cochlear (model Nucleus 24 or Clarion Cl) through facial nerve recess approach. The patients were assessed in medicine, audioloy and aural image before the operations. Mapping of cochlear speech processor was done 1 month postoperatively. 8 prelingually deaf patients had experienced audition and speech or language skills habilitation training for 3-19 months. After following up these patients once per 3-6 months, the clinical materials or datum from them were analysed.Results 11 patients were implanted successfully and no complications occurred intraoperatively and postoperatively. It was proved that all electrodes were in cochlears properly by taking X-rays of temporal bones 2 weeks after operations. Mapping of cochlear speech processor was done 1 month postoperatively, and all of 11 patients obtained the hearing. The postlingually deaf patient could dialog and communicate with telephone after a simple language training without lip reading training. This patient achieved the best result, and she not only stepped into sound world but also obtained a normal living and study. The prelingually deaf patients also got the incoordinate progress in audition and speech ability after speech training andassessment. The curative effects of the younger prelingually deaf patients are better than that of the older.Conclusion The operation of cochlear implant through facial nerve recess approach is a routine treatment to severe or profound sensorineural deaf patients, mainly including postlingual deaf adults, prelingual deaf children and part of youngsters. Preoperative assessment in medicine, audioloy and aural image are important to the operation of cochlear implant. As well as mapping and adjustments of cochlear speech processor and systematic audition and speech skills rehabilitation training can esure the operation of cochlear implant successfully.