Release: May 11, 1998 Contact: Kenneth Satterfield
(703) 519-1563
email: [email protected]
In Palm Beach, FL (5/9-5/14)
(561) 653-6332
SURGICALLY REIMPLANTED COCHLEAR DEVICES IN DEAF PATIENTS PROVES SAFE AND EFFECTIVE
Some cochlear implants fail. Medical researchers from the University of Miami Ear Institute conclude that a second surgical implantation of the electronic device
is safe and offers partial hearing to the deaf
PALM BEACH, FL -- The cochlear implant is an electronic device that restores partial hearing to the deaf. It is surgically implanted in the inner ear and activated by a device worn outside of the hear. The cochlear implant bypasses damaged parts of the auditory system and directly stimulates the nerve of hearing, allowing individuals who are profoundly hearing impaired to receive sound.
Since the introduction of the cochlear implant, the rates of device failure and reimplantation due to surgical complications have declined. However, for a small number of patients, circumstances require surgical reimplantation. Additionally, parents may be concerned regarding the safety of a reimplantation procedure for their deaf child. Consequently, they wait for the introduction of the "ultimate device" and delay their child's receiving the benefits of today's multichannel cochlear implant.
A medical research team from the University of Miami Ear Institute has completed a retrospective analysis of 16 second multichannel device implantations. Their study examined the causes of device failure, surgical technique, and hearing outcomes following the second procedure. The results of their analyses were presented at a meeting of the Triological Society, currently meeting with ten ear, nose, and throat societies being held May 9-16, 1998, at the Breakers Hotel, Palm Beach, FL, coordinated by the American Academy of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery Foundation.
The study's authors are Thomas J. Balkany, MD, Fred F. Telischi, MD, Philip A. Bird, FRCS, Annelle Hodges, Ph.D., Shelly Dolan-Ash, and Stacy Butts, all from the University of Miami Ear Institute's Department of Otolaryngology, and David Lee, Ph.D. and Orlando Gomez, Ph.D., from the Institute's Department of Epidemiology and Public Health.
Methodology: Between 1990 and 1997, 191 cochlear implantations were performed at the University of Miami Ear Institute. Of those procedures, 16 required a second implantation procedure; the most common reason was device failure followed by electrode damage.
Speech recognition testing was the primary means to measure the effectiveness of the second implantation procedure. Adults were tested using compact disc or audio tape recorded materials. Children under age ten were tested using live voice presentations of a test stimuli in a face to face situation. Additionally, the researchers reviewed the charts of each patient to identify initial site of surgery, age at first surgery, duration of cochlear implant use before failure, cause for reimplantation, and initial and secondary electrode insertion lengths.
Results: All the cases were successfully reimplanted without complication. The most relevant surgical findings in the second procedure were ossification at the cochleostomy site and extensive mastoid fibrosis. The speech recognition tests revealed that scores for all patients were equal to or better than those recorded following the first implantation.
The researches conclude that in the cases where a second implantation is required, the procedure can be safe and efficient. The research results also provide answers to parents who delayed having their child receive a cochlear implant out of concern that a better device would be available as technology improves.
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Editors Note: Reporters interested in interviewing the presenters and/or obtaining additional information regarding the medical research should contact Ken Satterfield, Media Relations Director, American Academy of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery, at (703) 519-1563 (prior to May 8); or at COSM (through May 14), phone (561) 653-6332.
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