[Frankfurt concept of early inpatient rehabilitation after cochlear implant treatment : Feasibility for aftercare. German version]

BACKGROUND

The Association of the Scientific Medical Societies in Germany (AWMF) clinical practice guideline on cochlear implant (CI) treatment, which was updated in 2020, defined the entire process of CI care for the first time. In the present study, the feasibility and results of very early rehabilitation were examined.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The intervention group (IG) comprised 54 patients in whom rehabilitation was initiated within 14 (maximally 28) days after implantation. Patients with a significantly longer waiting time were included in the control group (CG, n = 21). In addition to the start and duration of rehabilitation, the speech intelligibility achieved with CI was recorded at different timepoints within a 12-month period. In addition, questionnaires were used to assess the effort of fitting the CI processor and the patients' satisfaction with the outcome as well as the timing of the start of rehabilitation.

RESULTS

Median waiting time between implantation and start of rehabilitation was 14 days in the IG and 106 days in the CG; 92.6% of IG patients were able to start rehabilitation within 14 days. The effect of rehabilitation in the IG was 35 and in the CG 25 percentage points (Freiburg monosyllabic test). After 6 and 12 months of CI use, both groups showed comparable results in the test condition in quiet (IG/CG 6 months: 70%/70%; 12 months: 70%/60%, Freiburg monosyllabic test) and in noise (IG/CG 6 months: -1.1-0.85 dB SNR; 12 months: -0.65 dB SNR/0.3 dB SNR, Oldenburg sentence test). Hearing quality assessment scores collected by SSQ (Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale) questionnaire showed better scores in the IG at 6 months, which converged to CG scores at 12 months. The IG was significantly more satisfied with the timing of the start of rehab than the CG. All other data obtained from questionnaires showed no differences between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

A very early start of inpatient rehabilitation after cochlear implantation was successfully implemented. The rehabilitation was completed within 7 weeks of CI surgery. Comparison of speech recognition test results before and after rehabilitation showed a significant improvement. A clear rehabilitation effect can therefore be demonstrated. Inclusion of CI rehabilitation in the German catalog of follow-up treatments is thus scientifically justified and therefore strongly recommended.

Residual low-frequency hearing after early device activation in cochlear implantation

PURPOSE

The cochlear implant (CI) is a standard treatment for patients with severe to profound hearing loss. In recent years, early device activation of the sound processor after 2-3 days following surgery has been established. The aim of this study is to evaluate the residual hearing of CI patients with substantial preoperative low-frequency hearing after early device activation over a period of 12 months.

METHODS

Results were compared between an early fitted group (EF) with device activation to less than 15 days after CI surgery and a control group (CG) with device activation after 3-6 weeks. In total, 57 patients were divided into EF group (n = 32), and CG (n = 25). Low-frequency residual hearing and speech recognition in quiet and in noise were compared over an observation period of 12 months.

RESULTS

No significant difference (p > 0.05) in the residual low-frequency hearing PTAlow between EF and CG was found, neither preoperatively (EF 33.2 dB HL/CG 35.0 dB HL), nor postoperatively (EF 46.8 dB HL/CG 46.2 dB HL). In both groups, postoperative residual hearing decreased compared to preoperative and remained stable within the first year after CI surgery. Furthermore, both groups showed no significant differences (p > 0.05) in speech recognition in quiet and in noise within the first year.

CONCLUSION

Early device activation is feasible in CI patients with preoperative low-frequency residual hearing, without an additional effect on postoperative hearing preservation.

Long-Term Follow-Up of Early Cochlear Implant Device Activation

BACKGROUND

The cochlear implant (CI) is a standard procedure for the treatment of patients with severe to profound hearing loss. In the past, a standard healing period of 3-6 weeks occurred after CI surgery before the sound processor was initially activated. Advancements of surgical techniques and instruments allow an earlier initial activation of the processor within 14 days after surgery.

OBJECTIVE

Evaluation of the early CI device activation after CI surgery within 14 days, comparison to the first activation after 4-6 weeks, and assessment of the feasibility and safety of the early fitting over a 12 month observation period were the objectives of this study.

METHOD

In a prospective study, 127 patients scheduled for CI surgery were divided into early fitting group (EF, n = 67) and control group (CG, n = 60). Individual questionnaires were used to evaluate medical and technical outcomes of the EF. Medical side effects, speech recognition, and follow-up effort were compared with the CG within the first year after CI surgery.

RESULTS

The early fitting was feasible in 97% of the EF patients. In the EF, the processor was activated 25 days earlier than in the CG. No major complications were observed in either group. At the follow-up appointments, side effects such as pain and balance problems occurred with comparable frequency in both groups. At initial fitting, the EF showed a significantly higher incidence of medical minor complications (p < 0.05). When developing speech recognition within the first year of CI use, no difference was observed. Furthermore, the follow-up effort within the first year after CI surgery was comparable in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Early fitting of the sound processor is a feasible and safe procedure with comparable follow-up effort. Although more early minor complications were observed in the EF, there were no long-term wound healing problems caused by the early fitting. Regular inspection of the magnet strength is recommended as part of the CI follow-up since postoperative wound swelling must be expected. The early fitting procedure enabled a clear reduction in the waiting time between CI surgery and initial sound processor activation.