Cochlear Implant Basics & Referral Flashcards

What does the term 'electrode array' refer to in a cochlear implant system?

Answer: The surgically implanted series of electrodes inserted into the cochlea

The electrode array is the flexible strand of electrodes inserted into the scala tympani of the cochlea to electrically stimulate the auditory nerve.

Which hearing loss configuration typically makes a patient the BEST candidate for a cochlear implant rather than a conventional hearing aid?

Answer: Severe-to-profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss with poor word recognition

Patients with severe-to-profound bilateral SNHL and poor aided word recognition gain the most benefit from cochlear implantation over conventional amplification.

An adult patient's aided CNC word recognition score is 38% in the best ear. According to typical US CI candidacy criteria, how should the audiologist proceed?

Answer: Document the score and refer to a cochlear implant center

A CNC score of 38% in the best-aided condition meets the ≤50% threshold, so referral to a cochlear implant center is the appropriate next step.

What is the role of telemetry in cochlear implant management?

Answer: Measuring electrode impedances and neural responses to verify device integrity

Telemetry measures electrode impedances and can record electrically evoked compound action potentials (ECAPs) to confirm device function and neural health.

A child receives a cochlear implant at age 14 months. Intensive auditory-verbal therapy is recommended primarily because:

Answer: Early auditory experience during critical periods maximizes spoken language development

Auditory-verbal therapy capitalizes on the brain's neuroplasticity during early critical periods to develop listening and spoken language skills post-implantation.

Which condition is a relative contraindication rather than an absolute contraindication to cochlear implantation?

Answer: Active middle ear infection at time of surgery

An active middle ear infection is a relative contraindication that requires treatment prior to surgery, not a permanent barrier to implantation.

When counseling a cochlear implant candidate, which realistic expectation should the audiologist communicate?

Answer: Outcomes vary widely; most adults understand speech better with the implant than with hearing aids alone

While outcomes vary, research consistently shows most implant users outperform their best-aided hearing aid performance on speech recognition tasks.