Expanding pediatric cochlear implant candidacy: A case study of electro-natural stimulation (ENS) in partial deafness treatment. Issue 11 (November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Skarzynski, Henryk; Lorens, Artur; Dziendziel, Beata; Skarzynski, Piotr H.
• Is Part Of: International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology. Volume 79:Issue 11(2015:Nov.)
• Page Start: 1896
• Page End: 1900
• Publication Date: 2015-11
• Subjects: Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; Pediatrics -- Periodicals; Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; Pediatrics -- Periodicals; Oto-rhino-laryngologie -- Périodiques; Pédiatrie -- Périodiques; 618.9209751
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2015.08.040
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0165-5876

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="author" id="abs0005"> <title id="sect0005">Abstract</title> <sec> <title id="sect0010">Background</title> <p id="spar0005">Some adolescents have hearing impairments characterized by normal or slightly elevated thresholds in the low and mid-frequency bands (below 1500 Hz) and nearly total deafness in the high frequency range. These patients often remain beyond the scope of effective hearing aid treatment.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sect0015">Case report</title> <p id="spar0010">This study presents the case of a 16-year-old adolescent with good hearing in the range 125–1500 Hz and deafness at other frequencies. An implant was used to restore hearing at high frequencies, while preserving low and mid frequency acoustic hearing in the implanted ear. This is described as electro-natural stimulation (ENS) of the inner ear.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sect0020">Conclusions</title> <p id="spar0015">The results demonstrate that low and mid frequency hearing (up to 1500 Hz) can be preserved using the round window surgical technique. A substantial improvement in speech discrimination was also observed when electrical stimulation on one side was combined with acoustic stimulation on both sides. There is scope to extend qualifying criteria for cochlear implantation to include adolescents who are suited to ENS.</p> </sec> </abstract>