Method of cochlear implantation of patients at risk of facial nerve stimulation

Abstract

The reaction of the facial nerve during stimulation of one of the electrodes of the cochlear implant system is a fairly common complication that can lead to a deterioration in the patient’s quality of life due to significant discomfort and restrictions of the use of the cochlear implant system. Anatomical features of the cochlea, its syntopy with the facial nerve, changes in the bone labyrinth play a significant role in the development of symptoms of facial nerve stimulation (FNS) in patients with profound sensorineural hearing loss, even at the stage of rehabilitation after cochlear implantation (CI). The selection of a CI candidate with a high predisposition of FNS and their subsequent rehabilitation, due to a number of circumstances, requires an individual approach from both the surgical team and the audiologist who adjusts the speech processor of the cochlear implantation system. To date, no methods have been proposed for performing preventive FNS measures at the surgical stage of CI. In this regard, a method for the prevention of facial nerve stimulation of FNS for patients with a high risk of this complication has been developed on the basis of Saint Petersburg Research Institute of Ear, Throat, Nose, and Speech.