Experiences with AutoART Fitting

Introduction: In optimal cases we can communicate with the patient through the soundprocessor, to achieve the most appropriate matching to the patient’s needs. To get this it is necessary to identify the Most Comfortable Level (MCL). In literature and in our clinical experiences to predict MCL Auditory nerve Response Telemety is sufficient.

Materials and methods: Auditory nerve Response Telemetry is integrated in the Maestro 7.0 software. In this program one can find the AutoART method, which helps in the parametrization of the measurement. We show this tool and our experiences with the ART fitting function in the case of 5 postlingual adult patients.

Results: The autoART quickly measures the ECAP thresholds on every electrodes (approx 2 min). Patients do not feel any discomfort or pain during the measurements. We fitted the MCLs of the patients, than we performed an other MAP with ART fitting. We summed our observation.

Conclusion: With the information we got through these comparisons, we expect this method to be a baseline for the fittings in childhood. We can measure postoperative ART quickly therefore children stay calm in the meantime. Combining with intraoperative evoked stapedius reflex measurements, the soundprocessor can be programmed easily even in the case of non-cooperative patients and children.