ELECTRO-NATURAL STIMULATION (ENS) IN PARTIAL DEAFNESS TREATMENT: A CASE STUDY

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ELECTRO-NATURAL STIMULATION (ENS) IN PARTIAL DEAFNESS TREATMENT: A CASE STUDY

Journal Title: Journal of Hearing Science - Year 2014, Vol 4, Issue 4

Abstract

Background: There is a significant group of elderly patients whose hearing impairment is characterized by normal or slightly elevated thresholds in the low and mid frequency bands (below 1500 Hz) with nearly total deafness in the high frequency range. These patients very often remain beyond the scope of effective treatment by hearing aids Conclusions: The results demonstrate that low and mid frequency hearing (up to 1500 Hz) can be preserved using the round window surgical technique. A substantial improvement in speech discrimination was also observed when electrical stimulation on one side was combined with acoustic stimulation on both sides. There is scope to extend qualifying criteria for cochlear implantation to include elderly patients suitable for ENS. Case report: This study presents the case of a 75-year-old patient with good hearing in the range 125–1500 Hz and deafness at other frequencies. An implant was used to restore hearing at high frequencies, while preserving low and mid frequency acoustic hearing in the implanted ear. This can be described as electro-natural stimulation (ENS) of the inner ear.

Authors and Affiliations

Henryk Skarżyński, Artur Lorens, Piotr Skarżyński

Keywords

EP ID EP169125
DOI -
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