Performance After Cochlear Reimplantation Using a Different Manufacturer.

OBJECTIVE

To better understand cochlear implant (CI) performance after reimplantation with a different device manufacturer.

STUDY DESIGN

Multisite retrospective review.

SETTING

Tertiary referral centers.

PATIENTS

Patients older than 4 years who received a CI and subsequently underwent CI reimplantation with a different manufacturer over a 20-year period.

INTERVENTION

Reimplantation.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

The primary outcome was difference in the best CNC score obtained with the primary CI, compared with the most recent CNC score obtained after reimplantation.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine patients met the criteria at three centers. The best average CNC score achieved by adult patients after primary cochlear implantation was 46.2% (n = 16), measured an average of 14 months (range: 3-36 mo) postoperatively. When looking at the most recent CNC score of adult patients before undergoing reimplantation, the average CNC score dropped to 19.2% (n = 17). After reimplantation, the average 3- to 6-month CNC score was 48.3% (n = 12), with most recent average CNC score being 44.4% (n = 17) measured an average of 19 months (range: 3-46 mo) postoperatively. There was no statistically significant difference (p = 0.321; t11 = 0.48) identified in performance between the best CNC score achieved by adult patients after primary cochlear implantation, and the most recent score achieved after reimplantation (n = 12). Analysis of prerevision and postrevision speech performance was not possible in pediatric patients (<18 yr old) because of differences in tests administered.

CONCLUSION

Patients undergoing reimplantation with a different manufacturer achieved CNC score performance comparable to their best performance with their original device.