Results Using 3M/Vienna Extracochlear Implant in Five Patients

Abstract

Five patients have been implanted using the 3M/Vienna extracochlear implant. A standard battery of tests have been conducted both preoperatively and postoperatively. Pure tone audiograms, hearing aid evaluation, as well as promontory threshold and dynamic range stimulation were conducted to evaluate implant candidacy and to determine whether a particular patient met the criteria for inclusion in this study. Speech reading tests were also conducted before implantation. Postimplantation testing consisted of thresholds and tolerance levels for pure tones and speechreading with and without acoustic stimulation. Scores on the environmental sounds, speech discrimination, and word discrimination tests were conducted. Minimal Auditory Capability I, II, V, VI, VII, and XII scores were determined over several time intervals. The results across patients varied tremendously. All five patients are presently wearing their units. The presentation will cover the advantages and disadvantages that we have encountered with this particular unit.