Robotic-Assisted Electrode Array Insertion Improves Stability of Acoustic Hearing Thresholds

Uzair A Khan; Rachel A Scheperle; Grant Podhajsky; Meggan J Lind; Camille C Dunn; Alexander D Claussen; Bruce J Gantz; Marlan R Hansen

doi:10.1002/lary.70380

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Robotic-Assisted Electrode Array Insertion Improves Stability of Acoustic Hearing Thresholds

Journal article

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Robotic-Assisted Electrode Array Insertion Improves Stability of Acoustic Hearing Thresholds

Uzair A Khan, Rachel A Scheperle, Grant Podhajsky, Meggan J Lind, Camille C Dunn, Alexander D Claussen, Bruce J Gantz and Marlan R Hansen

The Laryngoscope, PMID 8607378

01/21/2026

DOI: 10.1002/lary.70380

PMID: 41562332

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Abstract

Robotic-assisted electrode array (EA) insertion is a promising technique that may enhance preservation of residual acoustic hearing after cochlear implant (CI) surgery. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of robotic-assisted EA insertion on rates of delayed-onset hearing loss (DOHL). Sixty (Advanced Bionics [AB]: 30, MED-EL: 30) adult patients underwent CI surgery with manual EA insertion and 29 (AB: 13, MED-EL: 16) with robotic-assisted insertion using the iotaSOFT system. The primary outcome variable was longitudinal change in low frequency pure-tone average (LFPTA). DOHL was defined as a decrease in LFPTA of > 10 dB compared to previous best postoperative LFPTA. Twenty-two (37%) out of the 60 subjects in the manual cohort and two (7%) out of the 29 subjects in the robotic-assisted cohort had DOHL over the entire length of available follow-up (p = 0.002, Fisher's exact test, two-tailed). When evaluating DOHL results for subjects who had LFPTA data at 12 months (±4 weeks) post initial activation, 11 (29%) out of the 38 (AB: 15, MED-EL: 23) subjects in the manual cohort and zero (0%) out of the 18 (AB: 8, MED-EL: 10) subjects in the robotic-assisted cohort had DOHL (p = 0.011, Fisher's exact test, two-tailed). The number needed to treat was 4. Robotic-assisted EA insertion is associated with a clinically meaningful reduction in rates of DOHL. Preservation of residual acoustic hearing is a critical goal in CI surgery, and robotic-assisted EA insertion contributes towards achieving this goal.

hearing preservation

cochlear implant

robotic‐assisted insertion

delayed‐onset hearing loss

UIOWA OA Agreement

Details

Title: Subtitle: Robotic-Assisted Electrode Array Insertion Improves Stability of Acoustic Hearing Thresholds
Creators: Uzair A Khan - Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Iowa Health Care, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
Rachel A Scheperle - University of Iowa
Grant Podhajsky - University of Iowa
Meggan J Lind - University of Iowa
Camille C Dunn - University of Iowa, Otolaryngology
Alexander D Claussen - University of Iowa
Bruce J Gantz - University of Iowa
Marlan R Hansen - University of Iowa Health Care
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: The Laryngoscope, PMID 8607378
DOI: 10.1002/lary.70380
PMID: 41562332
NLM abbreviation: Laryngoscope
ISSN: 1531-4995
eISSN: 1531-4995
Publisher: Wiley
Grant note: P50-DC000242 / NIDCD NIH HHS T32-DC000040 / NIDCD NIH HHS
Language: English
Electronic publication date: 01/21/2026
Academic Unit: Communication Sciences and Disorders; Molecular Physiology and Biophysics; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Neurosurgery; Otolaryngology
Record Identifier: 9985130055802771

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