gms | German Medical Science

24. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Audiologie

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Audiologie e. V.

14.09. - 17.09.2022, Erfurt

Increasing the reliability of real-time electrocochleography during cochlear implantation: a standardized guideline

Meeting Abstract

  • presenting/speaker Klaus Schürch - Universität Bern, Inselspital, Bern, CH
  • Wilhelm Wimmer - Universität Bern, Bern, CH
  • Marco Caversaccio - Universität Bern, Inselspital, Bern, CH
  • Stefan Weder - Universität Bern, Inselspital, Bern, CH

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Audiologie e.V.. 24. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Audiologie. Erfurt, 14.-17.09.2022. Düsseldorf: German Medical Science GMS Publishing House; 2022. Doc173

doi: 10.3205/22dga173, urn:nbn:de:0183-22dga1733

Published: September 12, 2022

© 2022 Schürch et al.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. See license information at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.


Outline

Text

Objective: Electrocochleography (ECochG) measures electrical potentials generated by the inner ear in response to acoustic stimulation. Real-time (rt) recordings are increasingly used during cochlear implant (CI) surgeries to monitor the inner ear function. However, performing rt-ECochG is a delicate measurement procedure involving several pitfalls, which lead to inaccurate or invalid signal recordings in up to 20%. In order to use the technique routinely in CI candidates, we must achieve an improvement in measurement reliability.

Design: In our prospective study, we systematically investigated potential pitfalls and error sources during rt-ECochG recordings. We performed experiments i) on a head and torso simulator, ii) on a whole-head cadaver specimen, iii) as well as in vivo during rt-ECochG recordings in CI recipients. After analysing experiments i-iii, we developed a standardized measurement procedure. We followed this guideline in 10 CI recipients to test the measurement reliability.

Results: Besides improper installation, surgical and patient-specific factors influenced the measured signal. In particular, the unattenuated presentation of the acoustic stimulus was of importance. We summarized our findings in a standardized guideline. Following this guideline, we measured successful intraoperative ECochG recordings in 9/10 patients.

Conclusions: Our error analysis improved the understanding of successful rt-ECochG measurements. When following our proposed guideline, we achieved more reliable intraoperative ECochG recordings.