Comparison of Intraoperative and Postoperative AutoART and ESRT Findings in Pediatric Cochlear Implant Users

Background:Cochlear implants (CIs) provide children with severe to profound hearing loss access to sound. In auditory implants, electrically evoked compound action potentials (ECAP), electrically evoked stepedial reflex threshold (ESRT) and electrically evoked auditory brainstem response (EABR) are three electrophysiologic measurements that used in both intraoperatively and postoperatively. ESRT and ECAP are more feasible especially in CI. ESRT and ECAP profiles could be use in initial fitting in pediatric population.

Objective:The purpose of this study is to compare intraoperative and postoperative findings of AutoART and ESRT measurements in pediatric group with normal cochlear structure.

Methods: In the current study, 10 subjects with normal inner ear structures were included. All subjects were implanted with MED-EL Synchrony. After placement of implant electrode, with MAESTRO software ECAP and ESRT were done in randomly. For intraoperative ESRT, stapedius muscle reflexes were observed by surgeon. Titan software module was used on postoperative ESRT. For both measurements, the amplitude level increased up to the observable ESRT or up to the compliance level of chosen intracochlear electrode or up to the uncompfortable level of subject in postoperativly. For ECAP, AutoART mode was used with default settings. Postoperative measurements were done in activation (2 days after surgery) and first-month fitting.

Results:Both AutoART and ESRT thresholds were decresed postoperativly. Although some subject defined discomfort during ESRT measurement in initial activitation, ESRT measurements were completed all subject in first-month fitting.

Conclusion: Intraoperative and postoperative ECAP and ESRT is important for checking functionality of CI.