The first direct acoustic middle-ear implantation in Hungary / Az elso hazai direkt akusztikus középfül-implantáció

Due to the remarkable development in the field of hearing implantation, almost all kinds of hearing loss can be successfully rehabilitated. The first Hungarian Codacs™ (Cochlear's direct acoustic cochlear stimulator; Cochlear, Sydney, Australia) implantation was performed at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head-Neck Surgery, Clinical Centre, University of Pécs. This electromechanical middle-ear implant can be offered for patients with bilateral, severe to profound, mixed-type hearing loss. In our case, a 67-year-old male patient with bilateral advanced otosclerosis was implanted, which led to significant improvement of the hearing threshold and speech reception. Orv Hetil. 2020; 161(24): 1015-1019.

In situ Probe Microphone Measurement for Testing the Direct Acoustical Cochlear Stimulator.

Hypothesis: Acoustical measurements can be used for functional control of a direct acoustic cochlear stimulator (DACS). Background: The DACS is a recently released active hearing implant that works on the principle of a conventional piston prosthesis driven by the rod of an electromagnetic actuator. An inherent part of the DACS actuator is a thin titanium diaphragm that allows for movement of the stimulation rod while hermetically sealing the housing. In addition to mechanical stimulation, the actuator emits sound into the mastoid cavity because of the motion of the diaphragm. Methods: We investigated the use of the sound emission of a DACS for intra-operative testing. We measured sound emission in the external auditory canal (PEAC) and velocity of the actuators stimulation rod (Vact) in five implanted ears of whole-head specimens. We tested the influence various positions of the loudspeaker and a probe microphone on PEAC and simulated implant malfunction in one example. Results: Sound emission of the DACS with a signal-to-noise ratio >10 dB was observed between 0.5 and 5 kHz. Simulated implant misplacement or malfunction could be detected by the absence or shift in the characteristic resonance frequency of the actuator. PEAC changed by <6 dB for variations of the microphone and loudspeaker position. Conclusion: Our data support the feasibility of acoustical measurements for in situ testing of the DACS implant in the mastoid cavity as well as for post-operative monitoring of actuator function.

A New Surgical Approach for Direct Acoustic Cochlear Implant: A Temporal Bone Study.

OBJECTIVES: The direct acoustic cochlear implant (DACI) is among the latest developments in the field of implantable acoustic prostheses. The surgical procedure requires a mastoidectomy and a posterior-inferior tympanotomy, with access to the facial recess at the level of the oval window, in a complex and lengthy surgical approach. Here, we report a new and considerably shorter surgical approach. METHODS: The new approach involves positioning of artificial incus above the oval window through the superior-anterior tympanotomy. We performed DACI placement in temporal bone specimens (n=5) to assess the feasibility of the new approach. RESULTS: The average time for the DACI implant in the temporal bones was only 112 minutes (range, 94 to 142 minutes) and there was little clinical risk associated with the procedure. Access was easy and drilling was minimal. CONCLUSION: Our approach simplified the surgical procedure and consequently reduced the time required for DACI placement.

Indication of direct acoustical cochlea stimulation in comparison to cochlear implants.

The new implantable hearing system Codacs™ was designed to close the treatment gap between active middle ear implants and cochlear implants in cases of severe-to-profound mixed hearing loss. The Codacs™ actuator is attached to conventional stapes prosthesis during the implantation and thereby provides acoustical stimulation through a stapedotomy to the cochlea. Cochlear implants (CIs) on the other hand are an established treatment option for profoundly deaf patients including mixed hearing losses that are possible candidates for the Codacs™. In this retrospective study, we compared the clinical outcome of 25 patients with the Codacs™ (≥3 month post-activation) to 54 CI patients (two years post-activation) with comparable pre-operative bone conduction (BC) thresholds that were potential candidates for both categories of devices. The word recognition score (Freiburg monosyllables test) in quiet was significantly (p < 0.05) better in the Codacs™ than in the corresponding CI patients for average pre-operative bone conduction below 60 dB HL and equal in patients with a pre-operative BC PTA between 60 and 70 dB HL. Speech in noise intelligibility (HSM sentences test at +10 dB SNR) was significantly (p < 0.001) better in Codacs™ (80% median) than in CI patients (25% median) in all tested groups. Our results indicate for patients with sufficient cochlear reserve that speech intelligibility in noise with the Codacs™ hearing implant is significantly better than with a CI. Further, results in Codacs™ were better predictable, encouraging the extension of the indication to patients with less cochlear reserve than reported here.

Subtotal petrosectomy and Codacs™: new possibilities in ears with chronic infection.

Subtotal petrosectomy combined with obliteration of the tympanomastoid is a standard procedure to treat temporal bones in patients with radical cavity and chronic infections. Currently, patients with profound-to-severe sensorineural hearing loss are often fitted with cochlear implants. In the case of profound mixed hearing loss, active middle ear implants have been used successfully. The new Codacs™ system provides an effective treatment for patients with severe-to-profound mixed hearing loss; however, only aerated middle ears have been treated with this device. The question arises whether the Codacs™ can be implanted in patients with radical cavity or ears with chronic otorrhea. Of the 41 patients who were implanted with the Codacs™ at the department, 4 received the device after subtotal petrosectomy and obliteration with abdominal fat. Clinical and audiological results were assessed. The device was implanted without any complications in the obliterated subtotal petrosectomy. The preliminary results of the first two patients showed stable bone conduction thresholds and indicated improved speech intelligibility in quiet and noise. Implanting the Codacs™ device after subtotal petrosectomy and obliteration with abdominal fat has been proven to be a feasible and suitable procedure for patients with radical cavity or chronic otorrhea. The speech intelligibility outcome directly after activation was comparable to patients with aerated middle ears.

A New Surgical Approach for Direct Acoustic Cochlear Implant: A Temporal Bone Study

OBJECTIVES: The direct acoustic cochlear implant (DACI) is among the latest developments in the field of implantable acoustic prostheses. The surgical procedure requires a mastoidectomy and a posterior-inferior tympanotomy, with access to the facial recess at the level of the oval window, in a complex and lengthy surgical approach. Here, we report a new and considerably shorter surgical approach. METHODS: The new approach involves positioning of artificial incus above the oval window through the superior-anterior tympanotomy. We performed DACI placement in temporal bone specimens (n=5) to assess the feasibility of the new approach. RESULTS: The average time for the DACI implant in the temporal bones was only 112 minutes (range, 94 to 142 minutes) and there was little clinical risk associated with the procedure. Access was easy and drilling was minimal. CONCLUSION: Our approach simplified the surgical procedure and consequently reduced the time required for DACI placement.