Journal article
Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Cochlear Implant Electrode Impedance in Standard and Dexamethasone-Eluting Electrode Arrays
Otology & neurotology, Vol.47(2), pp.e223-e230
02/2026
DOI: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000004747
PMCID: PMC12924171
PMID: 41508354
Abstract
Objective:
To evaluate the spatiotemporal dynamics of cochlear implant electrode impedance in standard and dexamethasone-eluting electrode arrays (Dex-EA).
Study design:
Prospective, double-arm study.
Setting:
Single tertiary referral center.
Patients:
Thirty-one (17 control and 14 experimental) subjects meeting Food and Drug Administration criteria for cochlear implantation.
Intervention(s):
Standard-of-care cochlear implant with intraoperative postinsertion impedance measurement.
Main outcome measure(s):
Daily impedance measurements for a targeted 90 days postinitial activation.
Results:
This study demonstrates the spatiotemporal dynamics of electrode impedance observed over the first 90 days postimplantation with standard EAs, and the effects of Dex-EAs on these dynamics. For the control group, impedances for the 12 basal electrodes (1 to 12) increase over time while they decrease for the 10 apical electrodes (13 to 22). In comparison, not only do Dex-EAs result in smaller impedance values across all 22 electrodes over the first 90 days after initial activation, but the impedances also tend to decrease over time at all electrode locations. There is a statistically significant difference in impedance between the 2 cohorts at every electrode (P<0.0001), but the difference is largest for the basal electrodes. Dex-EAs also result in lower within-subject variability across repeated impedance measures over this short time window.
Conclusions:
Dex-EAs result in smaller, more stable impedance values across repeated measures over the first 90 days after initial activation as compared with commercially available standard CI electrode arrays. The dramatically lower impedances, reduced fluctuations, and resistance to rising values particularly at basal locations reflect the clinical advantages of Dex-EA toward diminishing the foreign body response and may also enhance stimulation from the CI.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Cochlear Implant Electrode Impedance in Standard and Dexamethasone-Eluting Electrode Arrays
- Creators
- Uzair A. Khan - Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, University of Iowa Health Care, Iowa City, IAAmy S. Bussa - Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, University of Iowa Health Care, Iowa City, IAJacob Oleson - University of Iowa, BiostatisticsAlexander D. Claussen - University of IowaBruce J. Gantz - University of IowaMarlan R. Hansen - University of IowaRachel A. Scheperle - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Otology & neurotology, Vol.47(2), pp.e223-e230
- DOI
- 10.1097/MAO.0000000000004747
- PMID
- 41508354
- PMCID
- PMC12924171
- NLM abbreviation
- Otol Neurotol
- ISSN
- 1531-7129
- eISSN
- 1537-4505
- Publisher
- LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS
- Grant note
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders: P50DC00242
This study was funded by NIH, NIDCD P50DC000242 and supported by Cochlear Americas.
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 11/14/2025
- Date published
- 02/2026
- Academic Unit
- Communication Sciences and Disorders; Molecular Physiology and Biophysics; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Biostatistics; Neurosurgery; Otolaryngology
- Record Identifier
- 9985033761202771
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