Cochlear™ Nucleus® Implant electrode array design is a widely debated topic when it comes to performance and patient outcomes. This Science Spotlight focuses on a study out of Columbia University by Pennington-FitzGerald, MD et al, titled “Impact of Cochlear Implant Electrode Array Design on Post-Op Speech Perception” which looks at post-operative speech perception scores across manufacturers and reviews outcomes compared to electrode array design type.
Key Highlights:
- The coefficient for the perimodiolar (PM) electrode design was 19.85 and statistically significant (P = .045). This indicates that, when holding all other variables constant, the PM electrode design was associated with an average increase of 19.85 points in the CNC score at 24 months compared to LW electrodes.
- Speech perception significantly improved in perimodiolar electrodes at 6 months. Where speech perception for lateral wall electrodes stayed flat, PM kept improving.
- Negative correlation with increased insertion depth and speech perception, indicating that deeper insertions led to worse speech scores
Conclusion from the study: “Perimodiolar electrode arrays, which tend to be shorter, demonstrated better speech perception outcomes compared to the longer lateral wall and mid-scala arrays at some timepoints. These findings suggest a potential advantage of perimodiolar electrodes for optimizing hearing outcomes.”
Cochlear’s design philosophy is to fit the electrode to the natural shape of the cochlea to get the array as close as possible to the neural elements that are the target of stimulation. Perimodiolar electrodes have the unique benefit of being closer to spiral ganglion cells than any other array type, which provides the focused stimulation designed to optimize speech perception outcomes, which is seen as the gold-standard in Cochlear implantation.
This study reinforces why Cochlear believes in the performance of perimodiolar arrays. Every patient has a hearing potential based on their individual situation. Factors such as etiology of hearing loss, duration of deafness, age, etc are modest predictors of performance with a cochlear implant. The goal of our electrode design philosophy is to help more patients achieve their potential to hear their best, and this study indicates that the unique benefits that a perimodiolar electrode array provides can help to achieve that goal.
To learn more, please visit the full article here or speak to your local Cochlear representative for more information.
Read: Impact of Cochlear Implant Electrode Array Design on Post-Op Speech Perception
Pennington-FitzGerald W, Waring NA, Hamiter M, Kuhlmey M, Kim AH. Impact of Cochlear Implant Electrode Array Design on Post-Op Speech Perception. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2025 Mar;172(3):960-966. doi: 10.1002/ohn.995. Epub 2024 Oct 6. PMID: 39369438.
