The Effect of Hearing Aids before CochIear ImpIantation on Postoperative NeuraI Response TeIemetry (NRT) ThreshoId VaIues, the Subjective ThreshoId(T-IeveI) and MaximaI Comfort IeveI(C-IeveI) / 听力学及言语疾病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective The aim of this study is to explore the significance of fitting hearing aids before cochle_ar implantation by studying the postoperative impact on neural response telemetry (NRT ) threshold ,the subjective threshold(T -level) and maximal comfort level(C-level) values .Methods A total of 45 patients with cochlear im_plants were divided into 3 groupspatients in group HA1(n=17)had worn hearing aids preoperatively more than 6 months and the age of starting wearing hearing aids was yonger than 3 .5 years old ,patients in group HA2(n=8) had worn hearing aids preoperatively more than 6 months and the starting age was older than 3 .5 years old ,patients in group NHA(n=20 )never wore hearing aids before ACI .The postoperative electrode impedance ,NRT value and T -level and C -level were evaluated at 3rd ,6th ,and 12th months ,respectively .ResuIts Electrode impedances were 10 .9 ± 2 .1 kΩ in NHA group ,10 .5 ± 2 .3 kΩ in HA1 group ,10 .7 ± 2 .7 kΩ in HA2 group ,respectively ,and there were no statistically significant differences .Significant differences were found between group HA1 and group NHA ,group HA1 and group HA2 in terms of NRT threshold value ,T -level or C-level(P0 .05) .ConcIusion The results of this study showed that wearing hearing aids for a longer time before CI was beneficial for hearing rehabilitation postoperatively .