Longterm speech comprehension of the Cochlear™ Nucleus​ Profile Implant with Slim-Modiolar-Electrode (CI532)

Introduction The Nucleus Profile implant with slim modiolar electrode (CI532, CI632) has been part of Cochlear’s cochlear implant portfolio since 2015. The electrode array features a perimodiolar electrode design and was developed for the hearing preservation option. Sound and speech audiometric data up to 60 months after fitting are presented as part of this evaluation.

Methods Forty-six patients were included in the retrospective study (26 males, 20 females) who were fitted with a slim modiolar electrode at Frankfurt University ENT Hospital between 2015 and 2017. In 44 cases, a unilateral fitting was performed, and two patients were fitted bilaterally. Preoperative, postoperative, and at least 60 months after CI fitting, sound and speech audiometric data (Freiburg monosyllable Test) were collected. In addition, a control group with a contour electrode (CI 512/612 implant) was formed.

Results In 54% of the cases a hearing loss of less than 15dB could be detected postoperatively when averaging the low frequencies, which is equivalent to hearing preservation. Preoperatively, the median single-silver understanding was 0%. Interval showed an increase in speech understanding to 80% at 6 months in both comparison groups, which remained unchanged over the 5-year follow-up period.

Conclusions  Preservation of residual hearing is possible when using the slim modiolar electrode. The achieved postoperative speech understanding with the slim modiolar electrode corresponds to values of other perimodiolar systems (CI 512/612). The CI 532/632 thus represents a hearing-preserving alternative to other systems.

Publication History

Article published online:
12 May 2023