What physicians and patients should know about different designs of cochlear implant electrodes?

Abstract

Cochlear implants have changed how we consider hearing loss. Over the years, selection criteria have moved from profound to severe to moderate hearing loss. Now those with good residual low-frequency hearing, or only a unilateral hearing loss can benefit. Several exciting advances have been made in the last few years. A combination of technological advancements in device hardware, processing capabilities, improved surgical techniques and electrode factors, such as correct scala placement and modiolar proximity were found to correlate positively with patient outcomes. This is an important consideration as the electrode forms a permanent and lifelong interface between the cochlear implant delivering stimulation and the neural structures of the cochlea. This paper reviews different electrodes types and future considerations in electrode design in order to improve overall patient quality of patient’s life. *Correspondence to: Mohamed Salah Elgandy, Department of OtolaryngologyHead and Neck Surgery, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA, Tel: +1 (319)5193862; E-mail: melgandy@healthcare.uiowa.edu