Question
Following cochlear implantation, how frequently do you monitor patients with enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA)?
Answer
Oftentimes, these patients they are being implanted with a full insertion, and we are not trying to preserve any low-frequency components. We are not monitoring pure tones once they are implanted, unless they have some unordinary sound percept or if there are other concerns going on. As far as speech perception with a cochlear implant, I tend to put my patients in the booth more than they want. Every time they come in for a programming session, I tend to put them in the booth. Within the first three to six months, I am test them three to four times, usually starting off with just detection in the sound field, moving into word recognition ability. Once they are implanted for about six months, I see them every three to six months. If there are even small fluctuations in hearing or impedances or their sound percept, I will see them every three to six months for a programming check.
Do you see changes in patients’ aided or implanted detection scores?
No. I have not seen large fluctuations in that regard, unless the internal device is moving or migrating in an unexpected way. I do not see a huge change in performance, typically.
This Ask the Expert was taken from the Advanced Bionics course, Advanced Management of Complex Cases: Enlarged Vestibular Aqueduct.
