From Candidacy to Outcomes

MSTB-3 Insights: "Best Aided Condition"

Why the new MSTB-3 recommendation redefines "best aided condition" by focusing on optimizing the ear to be implanted, ensuring more precise cochlear implant candidacy, and delivering better outcomes through individualized ear assessments.

Using the MSTB-3 to improve consistency across sites

Mass Eye and Ear (MEE) is a leading specialty hospital, with a large audiology department serving around 60,000 patients annually and performing approximately 200 cochlear implants each year. To maintain consistency in training and care, MEE has developed standardized protocols and competencies aligned with the MSTB-3 recommendations, which have improved clinician workflows, candidacy evaluations, and documentation practices across their 14 locations.

What to do if patients aren't making adequate progress post CI? How do we define adequate progress? How often are you seeing patients post-op?

The University of Miami’s streamlined post-op cochlear implant (CI) protocol reduces adult visits to maximize access for new patients, relying on early ESRT-based programming and individualized success measures like wear time and word scores. Clinicians use judgment for additional follow-ups, ensuring patient care remains flexible and effective.

The Evolution of Cochlear Implant Care

The blog explores the transition from medical research to clinical practice, focusing on recent advancements in cochlear implant (CI) care leading to the development of the Minimum Speech Test Battery, 3rd Edition.

Why are PROMs important? How do you use them in your clinic? 

The importance of Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) in evaluating hearing loss from a holistic perspective.

Inferior Cochlear Vein and Cochleostomy

Surgeons should be aware of this relevant anatomy and consider it in cochlear implantation.

Hyaluronic Acid and Hearing Preservation

Hyaluronic acid just prior to electrode insertion appears to help preserve residual hearing.

Spotlight: Institute for Cochlear Implant Training

Spotlight: Institute for Cochlear Implant Training ICIT

Adaptive Cochleostomy

The cochleostomy should be adapted to the patient’s anatomy and the electrode used.

High Rate of Migration/Partial Extrusion of Straight Cochlear Implant Electrodes

Straight flexible electrodes have a high rate of partial extrusion.

Effects of CI Electrode Insertion on Tinnitus

Good surgical technique may reduce post-CI tinnitus.

Neural Plasticity and Age of Implantation

Early implantation provides electrical neurotrophism sufficient to establish functional central auditory pathways.

Long CI Electrodes: Hearing Outcomes

Deeper cochlear penetration with very-long electrodes added no hearing benefit in this study.

Evolution of Cochlear Implant Electrodes: Straight vs. Pre-Curved

Straight, thin, flexible electrodes vs perimodiolar electrodes; short vs long electrodes

Use of the Laser in Cochlear Implant Surgery

Whether one uses a drill or a LASER, the goal is to minimize intracochlear trauma, entrance of blood or bone products .

Vestibular Preservation in CI Surgery

Preservation of residual vestibular function may be more likely in patients who undergo cochlear implantation using sensory-preservation surgical techniques

Slow Insertion of Cochlear Implant Electrodes

Electrode insertion should be slow and continuous.

Vestibular Function and Development of Motor Skills in Implanted Children

Less traumatic surgical procedures to avoid vestibular damage, early implantation improve speech and motor skills development in children.

Development and Validation of the Cochlear Implant Surgical Competency Assessment Instrument

Objective: We Present A New Instrument For Evaluation Of Cochlear Implant (CI) Surgical Skills And Review Its Validation Process.

CI Outcomes: The Effect of Spiral Ganglion Survival

Spiral ganglion cell survival and function play an important role in CI performance.

Advanced Audiology Course

Course designed to challenge both new and developing audiologists who wish to accelerate their knowledge of programming and improve care for the patients they serve.

Delayed Hearing Loss after Hearing Conservation Surgery

Delayed loss of residual hearing after implantation is known to occur in a substantial number of patients.

Audiologic Management of CI Patients has become Increasingly Complex

Audiologic Management of CI Patients has become Increasingly Complex

Age Related Hearing Loss and Cognitive Decline II: Mechanisms and Effect of Cochlear Implantation

Appropriate treatment of hearing loss may reduce the risk of dementia

Auditory-Verbal Practice: Access to Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) for Children with Cochlear Implants

Language development thru LSL post cochlear implantation in pre-linguistic deaf children

Electrocochleography and Cochlear Implantation

Intracochlear recording of ECochG with CI electrodes

CI Tip Fold-Over II: Intraoperative Electrophysiology and Imaging

Intraoperative Electrophysiology and Imaging used to identify CI tip foldover

Preventing Electrode Tip Fold-Over

Preventing electrode tip fold-over during cochlear implantation

The American Cochlear Implant (ACI) Alliance

The American Cochlear Implant (ACI) Alliance is a not-for-profit membership organization created with the purpose of eliminating barriers to cochlear implantation.