Journal article
Electrically evoked compound action potentials in adult and pediatric cochlear implant users: I. Cochlear nerve responsiveness and electrode-neuron interface index
Hearing research, Vol.480, 109769
08/06/2026
DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2026.109769
PMID: 42585800
Abstract
•eCAP indices were measured in pediatric and adult cochlear implant users.•Pediatric users showed lower eCAP thresholds across electrode locations.•Adults had shallower AGF slopes at basal than at middle and apical electrodes.•Both patient groups showed worse refractory recovery at middle electrodes.
Adult and pediatric cochlear implant (CI) users differ in age, duration of deafness, and etiology, yet cochlear nerve (CN) response properties have not been systematically compared between these populations. To address this gap, this study examined electrically evoked compound action potentials (eCAPs) in pediatric and postlingually deafened adult CI users. Seven eCAP-derived indices were evaluated, including threshold, amplitude at the maximum comfortable level, overall and maximal slopes of the amplitude growth function (AGF), absolute and relative refractory periods (t0 and τ), and the local electrode-neuron interface (ENI) index. Sixty-four adult and 56 pediatric users of Cochlear™ Nucleus® CI devices were tested. eCAP AGFs and refractory recovery functions (RRFs) were measured at three to seven electrodes along the array. AGF slopes were quantified using linear regression and the window method, while t0 and τ were derived by fitting RRFs with exponential decay functions. Local ENI index was calculated using a machine-learning model incorporating several eCAP measurements. Linear mixed-effects models revealed both shared and distinct patterns of CN responsiveness between pediatric and adult CI users. Pediatric users demonstrated lower eCAP thresholds than adults when pooled across electrode locations. Adults exhibited shallower AGF slopes at basal electrodes than middle and apical electrodes. RRF-derived indices revealed shorter refractory periods in adults, likely influenced by group differences in maximum comfortable stimulation levels. Across both groups, several eCAP measures showed poorer responses at middle electrode locations relative to apical and/or basal sites. Future studies incorporating additional eCAP metrics may further clarify group differences in CN health and function.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Electrically evoked compound action potentials in adult and pediatric cochlear implant users: I. Cochlear nerve responsiveness and electrode-neuron interface index
- Creators
- Zi Gao - The Ohio State UniversityJacob J. Oleson - University of IowaRené H. Gifford - Oklahoma Heart HospitalShuman He - The Ohio State University
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Hearing research, Vol.480, 109769
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.heares.2026.109769
- PMID
- 42585800
- NLM abbreviation
- Hear Res
- ISSN
- 0378-5955
- eISSN
- 1878-5891
- Publisher
- Elsevier B.V
- Grant note
- National Institutes of Health: R01 DC017846, R21 DC019458, R01DC022051-01A1
This work was partially supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health awarded to SH [grant numbers: R01 DC017846, R21 DC019458 and R01DC022051-01A1] . The Funding organizations played no role in designing or conducting the study, collecting or analyzing the data, interpreting the results, preparing the manuscript, reviewing or approving its content, or deciding to submit it for publication.
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 08/06/2026
- Academic Unit
- Biostatistics; Otolaryngology
- Record Identifier
- 9985218381002771
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