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The Hybrid Cochlear Implant: A Review
Book chapter   Peer reviewed

The Hybrid Cochlear Implant: A Review

Erika A Woodson, Lina A.J Reiss, Christopher W Turner, Kate Gfeller and Bruce J Gantz
Cochlear Implants and Hearing Preservation, pp.125-134
Advances in Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, S. Karger AG
11/2009
DOI: 10.1159/000262604
PMCID: PMC4274269
PMID: 19955729
url
http://doi.org/10.1159/000262604View
Open Access

Abstract

The Hybrid S or ‘short-electrode’ cochlear implant was developed to treat patients with a severe to profound hearing loss limited to the high frequencies. The short electrode is implanted into just the base or high-frequency region of the cochlea, with the goal of preserving residual low-frequency hearing. As a result, electric stimulation can be combined with acoustic stimulation in the same ear (and the opposite ear); this is one instance of ‘acoustic plus electric’ (A + E) stimulation. In this paper, we will review the latest findings from the first two stages of the clinical trial for the Hybrid concept in the United States. Generally, we will review surgical techniques, clinical trial criteria, residual hearing preservation, improvements in speech perception in quiet, and predictive factors for patient benefit. We will also discuss the significant benefit of A + E stimulation for speech perception in noise and musical measures of melody and instrument recognition, as well as valuable insights into central auditory nervous system plasticity gained from the use of a very short electrode array.
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