Cochlear implantation in Timisoara

OBJECTIVE: The most common indication for cochlear implantation includes profound/complete sensorineural hearing loss, with no benefit from a hearing aid, due to lesion in the cochlea. STUDY DESIGN: Between January 2003 and December 2005 in the ENT Department of the University of Medicine Timisoara, 24 patients were fitted with cochlear implants. Devices used include: Combi 40+ (14), Pulsar CI 100 (8); and Tempo+ (1; Med-El, Innsbruck, Austria); and 1 Nucleus 24K (Cochlear Corporation, Lane Cove,. NSW, Australia). Patients were evaluated audiologically (pure-tone thresholds, vocal audiometry, electrocochleography, brainstem auditory evoked response, assessment of benefit offered by hearing aid) and psychologically and through medical examination, computed tomography scans of the temporal bone, and magnetic resonance imaging of the cochlea. Family history was also taken. RESULTS: Postoperative rehabilitation started in our Speech Therapy Department 1 month after surgery, with additional evaluations at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months postoperatively and then every year. The evaluation methods were directed toward psychologic and logopedic criteria. CONCLUSION: Cochlear implant is a well-known and largely accepted method for the treatment of profound sensorineural hearing loss. ENT Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Victor Babes" Timisoara, Romania