Otolaryngology: Open Access
Open Access

Abstract

Introduction: The hybrid cochlear implant, was designed for patients suffering from severe-to-profound hearing loss in higher frequencies with good residual hearing in lower frequencies as they do not benefit with the use of hearing aids, especially in situations of background noise, the combination of both technologies allows stimulation of the entire frequency range. Same doubts appear about the possible negative effect over the remnants cochlear structures and functions with a foreign body in the cochlea and because of effect of continuum ear electrical stimulations during years. Objectives: In this study, the evaluation of residual hearing is made in postoperative for up of five years. Material & Methods: Three patients with bimodal stimulation have a time of up to five years of residual hearing follow up. Both, bone and air conduction hearing were evaluated pre and post surgical for up to five years. Residual audition were compared with contralateral hearing (non-implanted and with similar pre-operatively function) from the same subjects. Results: In all three cases, small bone-air gap between 12 and 17.5dB for frequencies average 256-4096 were evidenced. No significant progression in hearing loss from the contralateral was evidenced. Conclusion: In all three cases with hybrid cochlear implant permanent use and follow up to five years, no sensori-neural hearing loss were attributable to the effect of foreign body or electrical stimulation was evident. In all cases the benefit was highly significant with the electro-acustic stimulation both silence and noise.

Biography

Email: MarengORL@fibertel.com.ar