Cochlear Implants
by Cochlear Guest Author

Long-Term Outcomes of Cochlear Implantation in Patients With High-Frequency Hearing Loss

October 25, 2018
Share

Research updates

J. Thomas Roland Jr, MD; Bruce J. Gantz, MD; Susan B. Waltzman, PhD; Aaron J. Parkinson, PhD

Objective: To demonstrate the long-term benefits of implantation in patients with high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss, this report provides 5-year follow-up on a group of implant recipients who were subjects of the Cochlear™ Nucleus® Hybrid™ L24 Implant System* pivotal clinical study.
Methods: The results of three related clinical studies were compiled to provide outcome data after 1, 3, and 5 years of implant use in a group of subjects who presented with preoperative high-frequency hearing loss and were implanted with a Nucleus Hybrid L24 (Cochlear Ltd., Sydney, Australia) cochlear implant. A subset of the 50 adult subjects (N532) who participated in the Hybrid L24 pivotal Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) completed comprehensive evaluations at 12 months postactivation, 3 years postactivation, and then as part of a postapproval study at 5 years postactivation. Testing included audiometric, speech perception, and subjective satisfaction measures.
Results: Mean unilateral speech perception performance was significantly improved at all postoperative intervals compared to preoperative best-aided results and has remained stable to 5 years postactivation. Ninety-four percent of subjects had measurable hearing, and 72% continued to use electric-acoustic stimulation in the implanted ear after 5 years of implant use. Subjective satisfaction results support objective performance improvements.
Conclusion: Results demonstrate long-term success of patients with high-frequency hearing loss following Hybrid L24 (Cochlear) cochlear implantation. Benefits include speech perception abilities significantly better than those in the preoperative best-aided condition, with additional benefit in those using electric-acoustic stimulation in the implanted ear.
Key Words: Electric-acoustic stimulation, cochlear implant, high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss, hybrid cochlear implant, hearing preservation, long-term outcomes.
Level of Evidence: 2b.

Download the study, Long-Term Outcomes of Cochlear Implantation in Patients With High-Frequency Hearing Loss, to read it in its entirety.

Cochlear logo

The Laryngoscope, 128:1939-1945, 2018
©2018 The American Laryngological,
Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.
*The Acoustic Component should only be used when behavioral audiometric thresholds can be obtained and the recipient can provide feedback regarding sound quality. The Hybrid L24 Implant is approved in the U.S. for adults ages 18 and older.
Author

Cochlear Guest Author

In an effort to keep our content fresh and reflective of a diverse industry, Cochlear Americas features a mix of employees and professional partners to contribute to Cochlear ProNews as Guest Authors.

View all posts

Related Posts
Kanso 2

Cochlear obtains FDA approval of Kanso 2 Sound Processor, first off-the-ear cochlear implant sound processor with direct smartphone connectivity

July 6, 2020

We are excited to announce that Cochlear has received the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of the new Cochlear™ Nucleus® Kanso® 2 off-the-ear Sound Processor (CP1150). We have also obtained approval to extend our Nucleus® 7 Sound Processor to Nucleus® 22 implant recipients and will be introducing our next generation CI fitting software, Custom Sound® Pro. 

Kanso 2

Kanso® 2: Smart has never been so simple.

Compatible with our Nucleus 24 Implant Series forward~, the Kanso® 2 Sound Processor combines the latest connectivity and proven hearing performance technology1-4 features of our Nucleus 7 Sound Processor in a small, all-in-one, off-the-ear design. The Kanso 2 Sound Processor also introduces a built-in rechargeable battery for all day hearing5*, direct streaming from compatible smartphones# and improved dust and water resistance for added peace of mind.+

Nucleus® 7 for Nucleus® 22 implant recipients: Hearing has never been so smart.

Our Nucleus 22 implant recipients have been part of the Cochlear Family since 1982, and we are delighted to now offer the only behind-the-ear cochlear implant sound processor to offer direct streaming, connectivity and control from a compatible Apple® or Android™ device#.  With this built-in connectivity, patients can answer their smartphone and enjoy direct connection in both ears,‡ conveniently control and monitor their sound processor, improve their hearing in noise6, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes from being able to locate their sound processor. All of this is available without additional attachments or additional intermediary devices.

Custom Sound® Pro: Designed by clinicians for clinicians.

Alongside these two product approvals, Cochlear is delighted to also introduce Custom Sound® Pro fitting software – our next generation of CI fitting software. With an intuitive new design layout and guided workflows, Custom Sound® Pro has been designed to enhance the fitting process for you and your patients, today and into the future. A new patient dashboard with integrated patient goals promotes additional patient engagement and facilitates more effective tracking of progress between appointments. Additionally, new adjustment screens help support clinical efficiencies while allowing you access to all the same power and flexibility that suits you.

Cochlear family commitment.

Cochlear is always considering the needs of our recipients. We also understand that when we introduce new sound processor technology, there are recently implanted Cochlear recipients who were unable to select this latest technology. As part of our Technology Exchange Program, newly implanted patients who have been activated from FDA approval date forward until the commercial release of the Kanso 2 sound processor are eligible to exchange one of their sound processors in the activation kit for the new Kanso 2 sound processor.  If desired, eligible recipients will be able to begin processing this exchange at commercial launch.

For current Nucleus recipients who have recently qualified for an upgrade, Cochlear will be offering a 90-day return and exchange period on all upgrade orders based upon shipping date. Within this period, upgrades can be returned for full credit, or exchanged for another compatible sound processor.  If you have current recipients who are interested in upgrading their Nucleus device, remember Cochlear is here to support them, and you. Directing recipients to Cochlear’s Reimbursement and Insurance Support Center is one way to help alleviate some of the work for your staff. Our team of support specialists are here to support your patients through every step of their hearing journey.

Key Dates:

July 6, 2020 Upgrade Pre-orders availableCochlear will begin processing upgrade pre-orders for the Kanso 2 Sound Processor and Nucleus 7 Sound Processor for Nucleus 22 recipients
August 2020 Custom Sound Pro Software releaseCustom Sound Pro fitting software is required and must be used to program these new sound processor innovations. To schedule a Software Support session, please book time here: https://calendly.com/cochlear-software-support/cs-software-support.

What Should I Do Next?

  • Join us on Wednesday, July 8 at 5pm ET or Tuesday, July 14th at 12 pm ET for a live, in-depth introduction to our latest innovations! Watch the recording here.
  • Read the complete press release here!
  • Contact your local Cochlear representative for more information.

Thank you for helping our recipients Hear Now. and Always

man and woman travelling

Three days lost at sea: a Recipient/Audiologist recounts his decision to become a bilateral cochlear implant user

November 28, 2017

reliability

After three days lost somewhere in the Caribbean Sea, Mark Campbell-Foster (AuD. and bilateral Cochlear™ Nucleus® recipient) and his Nucleus® 7 were reunited, thanks to a stranger with an underwater metal detector. 

Vacationing with his mother, Denise, in Aruba recently, Mark’s Nucleus 7 and its Aqua+ spent three days underwater* covered by the island’s white sand which made it impossible for Mark or his mom to locate the lost sound processor.  Luckily, Mark was wearing his Kanso® sound processor on the opposite ear and still had one ear to hear!  Relying on one ear reminded Mark of his decision to become a bilateral Nucleus® cochlear implant (CI) recipient and he shared this story…Mark

As a university junior, Mark Campbell-Foster made the decision to receive his first cochlear implant.  That decision was driven, in large part, by his inability to hear his mom over the television one evening.  Mark and his mom, Denise, have always been close and it was her voice that he says, “his brain remembered the most.”  When he could no longer clearly understand her, he made the decision to receive his first Nucleus cochlear implant. Denied by insurance, Mark’s parents offered to pay for the device out-of-pocket – luckily, a second insurance request was approved and Mark could be implanted during the next school break.

MarkAs a young man faced with the choice between two CI brands, Mark says that he chose Nucleus for what he felts was an “edge on design and the availability of a small headpiece coil.”  Today, he is thankful for the ability to continually upgrade to new technology and, as you read earlier, he is glad that Cochlear now offers the Aqua+ to keep his sound processor dry!

After pursuing an Audiology degree at Northeastern University, Mark made the decision to become a bilateral cochlear implant recipient because he felt he would be more successful on the telephone. At that time, Mark was working at a fast pace clinic, and often had to use the telephone with his cochlear implant. This meant relying on the contralateral hearing aid in the opposite ear whenever someone would speak to him when he was on hold. This made listening challenging. However, Mark feels that the decision to go bilateral was actually made harder for him as an audiologist since he felt his hearing aid provided a qualitative aspect to his hearing that he finds hard to pinpoint in words.

Once implanted, Mark’s friends and family noticed improvements in his ability to communicate, reporting to Mark subtle improvements in the clarity of his speech. From his perspective, Mark felt that the first CI was “the cake” and the second CI became “the icing on the cake.” This allows him to walk into the clinic’s waiting room without worrying whether his next patient was seated on the left or the right side of the room because he knew he would hear them no matter where they were seated.

Able to speak from a point of authority both as a recipient and as an audiologist, Mark routinely works with CI clinics on the east coast and often finds himself counseling patients about the decision to receive a cochlear implant.  Mark was recently recognized as Cochlear’s field team member of the year.

Cochlear logo

* The Nucleus® 7 Sound Processor is water resistant to level IP54 of the International Standard IEC60529. The Nucleus 7 Sound Processor with the Aqua+ is water resistant to level IP68 of the International Standard when used with LR44 alkaline or nickel metal hydride disposable batteries.
Cochlear logo - white

©Cochlear Limited 2024. All rights reserved. ACE, Advance Off-Stylet, AOS, Ardium, AutoNRT, Autosensitivity, Baha, Baha SoftWear, BCDrive, Beam, Bring Back the Beat, Button, Carina, Cochlear, 科利耳, コクレア, 코클리어, Cochlear SoftWear, Contour, コントゥア, Contour Advance, Custom Sound, DermaLock, Freedom, Hear now. And always, Hugfit, Human Design, Hybrid, Invisible Hearing, Kanso, LowPro, MET, MP3000, myCochlear, mySmartSound, NRT, Nucleus, Osia, Outcome Focused Fitting, Off-Stylet, Piezo Power, Profile, Slimline, SmartSound, Softip, SoundArc, True Wireless, the elliptical logo, Vistafix, Whisper, WindShield and Xidium are either trademarks or registered trademarks of the Cochlear group of companies. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

 

This material is intended for health professionals. If you are a consumer, please seek advice from your health professional about treatments for hearing loss. Outcomes may vary, and your health professional will advise you about the factors which could affect your outcome. Always read the instructions for use. Not all products are available in all countries. Please contact your local Cochlear representative for product information.

 

Cochlear ProNews is monitored Monday through Friday, excluding some holidays. Questions and inquiries submitted over the weekends or holidays may see a delay in response. For immediate assistance please contact us directly. You are solely responsible for your interactions with other members of our Websites. Cochlear reserves the right, but has no obligation, to monitor disputes or communications between you and other members of our Websites. For a full list of Cochlear’s terms of use, click here.