Cochlear Implantation: The Variation in Cochlear Height

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the association between different cochlear metrics, including the basal turn diameter (A-value), the basal turn width (B-value), and the height of the cochlea (H-value). We also reported an association between H-value and hearing outcomes with cochlear implants (CI). This is a retrospective study that included all patients who underwent CI procedures between 2012 and 2018 at a tertiary center and have; preoperative high-resolution computed tomography (CT), normal cochlea, postoperative follow-up duration of at least 2 years, scores of the category auditory performance II (CAP-II), and speech intelligibility rating (SIR) scales. A total of 65 ears implanted with CI in 46 patients (24 boys and 20 girls; mean age of 7 (±10) years) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. We found significant positive correlations between A vs B, A vs H, and B vs H ( P-value = 0.008, 0.018, and 0.0039, respectively). We also found a significant positive relationship between A, B, and H values and cochlear duct length (CDL) ( P-value < 0.0001, 0.008, and 0.018, respectively). Finally, the H-value was significantly correlated with the SIR ( P-value = 0.027). However, its correlation with the CAP score was not statistically significant ( P-value = 0.62). Cochlear height significantly correlated with CDL and the other cochlear parameters. The variation in cochlear height can also affect speech outcomes in patients undergoing CI. Therefore, the H-value together with the other cochlear metrics should be adequately assessed preoperatively in CI patients.