Development of Automated Tool for Electrode Array Insertion and its Study on Intracochlear Pressure.

Cochlear implantation is the most successful approach for people with profound sensorineural hearing loss. Manual insertion of the electrode array may result in damaging the soft tissue structures and basilar membrane. An automated electrode array insertion device is reported to be less traumatic in cochlear implant surgery. OBJECTIVES: The present work develops a simple, reliable, and compact device for automatically inserting the electrode array during cochlear implantation and test the device to observe intracochlear pressure during simulated electrode insertion. METHODS: The device actuates the electrode array by a roller mechanism. For testing the automated device, a straight cochlea having the dimension of the scala tympani and a model electrode is developed using a 3D printer. A pressure sensor is utilized to observe the pressure change at different insertional conditions. RESULTS: The electrode is inserted into a prototype cochlea at different speeds without any pause, and it is noticed that the pressure is increased with the depth of insertion of the electrode irrespective of the speed of electrode insertion. The rate of pressure change is observed to be increased exponentially with the speed of insertion. CONCLUSION: At an insertion speed of 0.15 mm/s, the peak pressure is observed to be 133 Pa, which can be further evaluated in anatomical models for clinical scenarios. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: N/A Laryngoscope, 134:1388-1395, 2024.

Effectiveness and Safety of Prochlorperazine in Indian Patients with Acute Vertigo: Results from a Large, Prospective, Post-marketing Observational Study.

Aim: To assess the efficacy and safety of prochlorperazine in Indian patients with acute vertigo. Methods: In this prospective, multicenter, open-label, post-marketing observational study, patients with acute peripheral vertigo of different etiologies received 5 mg prochlorperazine thrice a day for 5 days. The primary endpoints were percentage of patients with improvement in (1) vertigo symptoms and (2) clinical response as per scale for vestibular vertigo severity level and clinical response evaluation (SVVSLCRE) from baseline to end of treatment (Day 6). The key secondary endpoints were (1) improvement in nystagmus grading, and (2) safety and tolerability Efficacy of prochlorperazine by route of administration of first prochlorperazine dose (oral or intramuscular) was also assessed. Results: Of 1716 enrolled patients (mean [standard deviation, SD]) age (42.0 [12.95] years; 53.6% men), 57.4% were diagnosed with Meniere's disease, followed by vestibular neuritis (17.4%), labyrinthitis (16.7%), or ear surgery (8.5%). In the overall population, 91.1% of patients showed improvement in clinical response per SVVSLCRE grading at Day 6 (p < 0.0001 vs. non-responders). Nystagmus grading was improved in 99.7% (of patients. No adverse drug reactions events were reported. Tolerability of prochlorperazine was rated as good, very good, and excellent by 43.6%, 32.9% and 20.7% of patients, respectively. Among patients with postoperative vertigo, 80.1% showed improvement in clinical response. In the intramuscular and oral subsets, 85.5% and 92.1% of patients showed improved clinical response, respectively. Conclusion: Prochlorperazine showed improvement in severity of symptoms and clinical response in all subsets of vertigo patients, with a good safety and tolerability profile. Trial Registration Number: CTRI/2022/01/039287. Date of Registration: 10 January 2022.

Complication profile in a cochlear implantation- surgical audit in a large study population of low socio-economic status in a developing country.

OBJECTIVES: To audit surgical complications and their management in cochlear implant (CI) recipients in a tertiary care referral otorhinolaryngology center in South India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hospital data on 1,250 CI surgeries performed from June 2013 to December 2020 was reviewed. This is an analytical study with data collected from medical records. The demographic details, complications, management protocols and relevant literature were reviewed. Patients were divided into the following five age groups: 0-3 years, 3-6 years, 6-13 years, 13-18 years and above 18 years. Complications were divided into major and minor and complication occurrence was divided into peri-operative, early post-operative, and late post-operative, and the results were analyzed. RESULTS: The overall major complication rate was 9.04% (including 6.0% due to device failure). If the device failure rate was excluded, the major complication rate was 3.04%. The minor complication rate was 6%. DISCUSSION: CI is the gold standard in the management of patients with severe to profound hearing loss with minimal benefit from conventional hearing aids. Experienced tertiary care CI referral and teaching centers manage complicated implantation cases. Such centers typically audit their surgical complications, providing important reference data for young implant surgeons and newer centers. CONCLUSION: Although not bereft of complications, the list of complications and its prevalence is sufficiently low to warrant the advocacy of CI worldwide, including developing countries with low socio-economic status.

Noise Pollution and Associated Hearing Loss in a Metropolitan City-a Preliminary Report.

To measure the amount of noise produced in busy parts of a metropolitan and also to assess the audiological status of the civilians exposed to such noise. Cross-sectional study for one year between June 2017 and May 2018 was conducted. Noise was measured in four busy parts of an urban city with a digital sound level meter. People involved in various occupations in the busy parts for more than one year within the age range of 15-45 years were included. Maximum noise level recorded was 106.4 dBA in Koyembedu. Average noise was around 70-85 dBA in Chennai. Totally 100 people were subjected to audiological assessment (69 Males; 31 Females). Among them 93% had hearing loss. Hearing loss was almost equal both in sexes. Sensory hearing loss was the major type (83%). All areas were almost equally affected with maximum (100%) being affected in Annanagar and Koyembedu. The right ear was more affected than the left. All age groups were affected among which the working age group (36-45) years was most affected. The unskilled occupation group was most affected (100%). There was a positive relation between noise levels and hearing loss. Duration of exposure did not have positive correlation with hearing loss. Noise pollution and its induced hearing loss was more prevalent and increased in all four areas. As hearing loss due to noise pollution is predominant as observed in the study, awareness about noise pollution and its effects among the community is a necessity.

Cochlear Implantation in Biotinidase Enzyme Deficiency.

Metabolic syndromes associated with hearing loss are rare and are characterized by specific enzyme pathway deficiencies involving lysosomal storage, peroxisomes, fatty acid enzymes, organic acids and amino acids. The deficiency of biotinidase, an enzyme involved in the metabolism of biotin, is one such rare cause of congenital hearing loss estimated at 1:60,000 newborns. The parents of a 5-year-old girl presented to the clinic with complaints that she was hard of hearing with no speech development. At age 2 she had been diagnosed with organic aciduria and hydronephrourethrosis and was operated for renal calculi. Clinical examination showed periorificial scaly skin lesions and eczematous otitis externa. An audiological evaluation showed bilateral profound SNHL. Imaging and routine investigations were unremarkable, except for a mild low anion gap metabolic acidosis. General anaesthesia involved avoidance of neuromuscular agents due to the risk of inducing hypotonia. Surgery consisted of cortical mastoidectomy followed by the facial recess approach. A standard electrode array was inserted via the round window technique and complete atraumatic insertion was achieved. Intraoperative electrode impedance and NRT tracings were good. Hearing loss in biotinidase deficiency may be expected to be of progressive nature and regular evaluation of hearing and speech is required. Cochlear implantation is currently the best available solution for severe to profound hearing loss in this disorder although the enzymatic pathology affects the entire auditory pathway. Biotin supplementation is required lifelong for its management.

Worldwide Variation in Cochlear Implant Candidacy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to find out how candidacy criteria have evolved differently across the globe. METHODS: Candidacy criteria and outcome measurements applied in 19 HEARRING clinics were analyzed. RESULTS: Candidacy criteria vary between clinics. Overall, both bilateral implantation and cochlear implantation in patients with single-sided deafness are becoming more frequent. CONCLUSION: Standardized outcome measurement instruments need to be applied to provide access to the hearing world to all patients with hearing loss who would benefit from cochlear implantation.

Suitable Electrode Choice for Robotic-Assisted Cochlear Implant Surgery: A Systematic Literature Review of Manual Electrode Insertion Adverse Events.

Background and Objective: The cochlear implant (CI) electrode insertion process is a key step in CI surgery. One of the aims of advances in robotic-assisted CI surgery (RACIS) is to realize better cochlear structure preservation and to precisely control insertion. The aim of this literature review is to gain insight into electrode selection for RACIS by acquiring a thorough knowledge of electrode insertion and related complications from classic CI surgery involving a manual electrode insertion process. Methods: A systematic electronic search of the literature was carried out using PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and Web of Science to find relevant literature on electrode tip fold over (ETFO), electrode scalar deviation (ESD), and electrode migration (EM) from both pre-shaped and straight electrode types. Results: A total of 82 studies that include 8,603 ears implanted with a CI, i.e., pre-shaped (4,869) and straight electrodes (3,734), were evaluated. The rate of ETFO (25 studies, 2,335 ears), ESD (39 studies, 3,073 ears), and EM (18 studies, 3,195 ears) was determined. An incidence rate (±95% CI) of 5.38% (4.4-6.6%) of ETFO, 28.6% (26.6-30.6%) of ESD, and 0.53% (0.2-1.1%) of EM is associated with pre-shaped electrodes, whereas with straight electrodes it was 0.51% (0.1-1.3%), 11% (9.2-13.0%), and 3.2% (2.5-3.95%), respectively. The differences between the pre-shaped and straight electrode types are highly significant (p < 0.001). Laboratory experiments show evidence that robotic insertions of electrodes are less traumatic than manual insertions. The influence of round window (RW) vs. cochleostomy (Coch) was not assessed. Conclusion: Considering the current electrode designs available and the reported incidence of insertion complications, the use of straight electrodes in RACIS and conventional CI surgery (and manual insertion) appears to be less traumatic to intracochlear structures compared with pre-shaped electrodes. However, EM of straight electrodes should be anticipated. RACIS has the potential to reduce these complications.

Audiological practice and COVID-19: recommendations that audiological centers can use to maintain the safety and quality of service-expert opinion.

PURPOSE: Audiology is an essential service for some patient groups and some interventions. This article sets forth experience-based recommendations for how audiological centers can continue to safely and effectively function during COVID-19. METHODS: The recommendations are the result of panel discussion and are based on the clinical experience of the panelists/authors. RESULTS: The recommendations cover which patient groups and which interventions should be treated when and whether this can be performed in the clinic or remotely; how to maintain the safety of workplace via optimizing patient flow within the clinic and the sanitation of rooms and equipment; and overcoming communication challenges that COVID-19 intensifies. CONCLUSION: For essential audiological services to continue under COVID-19, safety measures must be implemented and maintained, and treatment and communication strategies must be adapted to offset communication difficulties due to personal protective equipment (PPE) and social distancing and to bolster patient confidence. In short, it is vital that staff feel safe, that patients either feel the clinic is safe enough to visit or that remote treatment may be an option, and that clinics and patients have a broad agreement on the urgency of any needed service. We hope that these recommendations help clinics effectively accomplish these goals.

A Case of Langerhan's Cell Histiocytosis of Temporal Bone.

We present a case of isolated Langerhans' cell histiocytosis in a six year old child who presented with right otorrhoea, retro-aural swelling and hearing loss. The preoperative provisional diagnosis was cholesteatoma, per operative differential diagnosis was rhabdomyosarcoma and final histological and immunohistochemistry diagnosis was Langerhans' cell histiocytosis.

Socio-demographic profile and its influences on rehabilitation in children undergoing revision cochlear implantation - MERF experience.

INTRODUCTION: Revision cochlear implant surgery (RIS) is an unusual and unfortunate event, but not an uncommon occurrence in today's time, with more and more children being implanted. It is accepted that a pediatric cochlear implant recipient may require one or two revision procedures during their lifetime. The indication of RIS can be due to a multitude of causes like trauma, device failure (hard failure or soft failure), infection at the implant site, electrode extrusion, device migration, magnet migration, and upgradation in the technology. Scenarios, where the child is deprived of hearing once again is worrisome for the family. And, they need financial and psychological assistance as well. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: (1) To scrutinize the socio-demographic profile of children who underwent RIS. (2)To profile the social, intellectual, and economic backgrounds of these families. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective, observational, non-interventional, cohort study conducted at the Implantation otology department of Madras ENT Research Foundation (MERF), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. DATA COLLECTION: (1) Detailed medical records of all the children who satisfied the inclusion criteria were reviewed.(2)This was followed up by a telephonic interview with the guardian of the consenting patients, to obtain further data based on a customized questionnaire. SAMPLE SIZE: Of the 99 children who underwent RIS, 80 families consented to be part of the study. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: (1) Cause of revision implant surgery and Family system Risk estimate.(2) Correlation of sex, family system, patient non-compliance to habilitation, and residential area with RIS.(3) Correlation of the residential area of the patient with completion of 1-year habilitation. RESULTS: A significant association observed between RIS and Sex (P = 0.03). A significant co-relation between patient non-compliance to habilitation and cause of revision implant surgery observed (P = 0.02). A significant co-relation was seen between residential area (Rural/Urban) and cause of RIS (P = 0.02). A statistically significant correlation seen with the residential area (Rural/Urban) of the child and completion of 1-year habilitation (P = 0.01). Uni-variant association was found between patients that have completed one year of habilitation, patient compliance, and modified Kuppuswamy Socio-Economic status. CONCLUSION: The current data has aided in refining our institutional management protocols and predicting high-risk candidates who may need revision surgery in the future. Based on the data, all cochlear implantees and their families especially in the lower socio-economic strata, are now being meticulously educated about device care, the possible reasons for failures, and the importance of timely re-intervention.

Role of Immediate Pre-Operative Tympanometry in Cochlear Implantation: MERF Protocol and Experience.

(1) To study the association between an immediate pre-operative tympanometric profile in patients undergoing cochlear implantation with their intraoperative findings. (2) To analyse the intraoperative middle ear findings that require a staged cochlear implantation in patients presenting with a B-type tympanogram. (3) To study the complications in this group of patients during the 1-year follow-up. This retrospective non-interventional cohort study is done over a period of 6 years. Bilaterally profound deaf children, less than 6 years of age, and no history of otitis media with effusion were included in the study. Children who met the inclusion criteria were divided into 4 groups based on their tympanometric profiles that are A, As, B, and C type tympanogram and, their intraoperative findings were categorized as normal, mild oedema, minimal granulation with mild oedema, moderate to extensive granulation with or without oedematous mucosa and glue. Then finally, depending on the intraoperative middle ear and mastoid finding, a single-stage surgery or a two stage surgery was decided upon. A total of 1025 patients were implanted during the study period, 975 patients met our inclusion criteria. In our series, we found a statistically significant difference (p < 0.0001) between the tympanograms and their respective intra-operative middle ear findings. A statistically significant difference was seen (p < 0.0001) between patients who underwent a single-stage cochlear implant and those who underwent a two-staged surgery, regarding their intraoperative middle ear findings. No statistical significance was seen in the occurrence of complications between the groups undergoing a single stage and a two-staged surgery (p > 0.5). This study showcases the importance of immediate pre-operative tympanometry in cochlear implant surgeries. Two-stage surgery is a decision taken on the operating table, depending on the extent of pathology and visibility of the round window niche.

Systematic review of cochlear implantation in adults with asymmetrical hearing loss.

BACKGROUND: Rapid advances in cochlear implantation has witnessed an expanding spectrum for candidacy worldwide. This includes a subgroup of adults with asymmetrical hearing loss who have a wide range in their hearing capacity between the two ears. As per guidelines they are not included in mainstream candidacy for CI across the world. Evidence is now emerging to support the benefits of CI in AHL. METHODS: This review analyzed literature regarding the outcomes of CI in AHL. Primary outcome measure was to assess audiological benefits and secondary outcome measure was to assess hearing related quality of life. 15 relevant articles, published worldwide between 2009 and 2019 were chosen. CASP checklist for systematic reviews was used to ascertain the quality of literature. The strength of recommendations from each study was analyzed and classified as strong, moderate, weak or none based on GRADE guidelines. RESULTS: Heterogeneity in samples was obvious and samples varied largely between the studies. The levels of evidence ranged from systematic review to expert opinion, but overall they reflected positively on both audiological and QOL benefits. CONCLUSION: CI provides important auditory and QOL benefits in AHL, but there is no high level evidence as yet to strongly support CI for AHL. A long term multi-centric study is necessary to influence a change in practice for a growing population of AHL.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03052920.

A Retrospective Clinical Audit of Outcomes of Cochlear Implantation in Children with Multiple Disabilities in Comparison with Normal Implantees: A South Indian Experience.

AIMS: Cochlear implantation (CI) is established as a standard remedy for children with congenital bilateral profound hearing loss to attain hearing perception and thereby develop speech and language. A subgroup includes children with multiple disabilities in whom the implant helps to improve their quality of life and also of their families via enhanced communication skills. Cochlear implants today form an integral part of their multi-handicap rehabilitation process. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was carried out on children with and without multiple handicaps who have received cochlear implantation at the cochlear implant clinic of MERF, Chennai, India over the past decade. Category of Auditory Performance (CAP) scores, Speech Intelligibility Rating (SIR) scores, and also Meaningful Auditory-Integration Scale (MAIS) and Meaningful Use of Speech Scale (MUSS) scores were compared at set time frequencies of 6 months and 12 months post-implantation between the two groups of implanted children. RESULTS: All the four CAP, SIR, MAIS and MUSS scores showed improvement over time with auditory and speech therapy in both groups of children as reflected by the improvement in their quality of life. The normative group of implantees showed better improvement compared to the group of children with multiple disabilities. CONCLUSION: Intensive habilitation is essential especially for children with multiple disabilities who have received cochlear implantation in which their special needs are addressed individually and optimised for the best outcome. The study shows that restoration of the special sense of hearing helps as a remedy to alleviate their other multi-handicaps to a notable extent.

Satellite habilitation centres following cochlear implantation - Are they the way ahead in improving outcomes in developing countries?

INTRODUCTION: Cochlear implantation is a safe surgery for restoration of hearing in profoundly deaf children. Following cochlear implantation, children undergo rehabilitation (or 'habilitation' for those without previous hearing). The device is programmed after the surgery, so that the user can hear sounds through it and through rehabilitation training, the heard sounds are made to understand. OBJECTIVE: Our study was aimed at analysing the role of satellite habilitation centres following cochlear implantation by analysing the outcomes following habilitation and comparing it with the outcomes of the main centre and correlating it with the percentage of attendance of classes. Our study also aims to compare the attendance of implant patients from outside the geographical area of the main centre before and after starting the satellite centre. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 1004 profoundly deaf children (6 years and below) who had undergone cochlear implantation and completed 12months of habilitation in our institution from July 2013 to December 2019 were retrospectively analysed. The outcomes of all the centres were assessed by comparing the baseline CAP with CAP scores at 12 months and baseline SIR with SIR scores at 12 months. The outcomes of the main centre and satellite centres were also compared. The outcomes were correlated with percentage of attendance of classes. OBSERVATION: The overall attendance in all the centres was between 75 and 80%. Both main and satellite centres showed statistically significant good outcomes and this correlates with percentage of attendance. CONCLUSION: Satellite centres for habilitation across the state has greatly helped to improve the attendance of these patients and outcomes. Reduced drop-out rates and improved speech language outcomes can be achieved by starting satellite centres for habilitation post cochlear implantation in developing countries like India.

Comparison of Clinician Versus Parental Perspectives of Outcomes in Cochlear Implantees: A South Indian Experience.

Outcomes of cochlear implantation (CI) are generically assessed using standard validated measures like CAP, SIR, MAIS and MUSS scales. Although this reflects the improvement in auditory verbal skills among the implantees with habilitation over one year, the overall perception of their skill development may vary between the parents of these children and the clinicians who provide the habilitation. This study aimed to compare the CAP and SIR scores sequentially over habilitation and further analyzes the correlation between clinician assessment (with CAP/SIR scores) and parental perspective (with MAIS/MUSS scores), at the end of one year of habilitation. 388 children aged 1-6 years who underwent unilateral CI were included in the study. Their baseline CAP and SIR scores were recorded post implantation. All children received 1 year of intensive auditory verbal therapy and their 12 month CAP, SIR, MAIS and MUSS scores were then recorded. The baseline CAP/SIR scores were compared with 12 month CAP/SIR scores and then their 12 month CAP/SIR scores were correlated with 12 month MAIS/MUSS scores respectively. There was significant difference between baseline and the 12 month CAP/SIR scores (p < 0.001). There was strong positive correlation between CAP and SIR scores after 12 months of habilitation (r = 0.7), while there was moderate positive correlation between CAP and MAIS scores (r = 0.59) and between SIR and MUSS scores (r = 0.49) respectively. Though the parents note significant improvement in child's communication abilities, the parental perspective of final outcomes does not always match with the clinician's assessments at the end of habilitation, as highlighted by the moderate correlations. A more precise method of holistic assessment is lacking currently and stands warranted.

Audiological and Surgical Outcomes of Pediatric Cochlear Implantation in Mondini's Dysplasia: Our Experience.

OBJECTIVES: Aim of present study is to compare audiological and surgical outcomes in prelingual deaf children with Mondini's dysplasia (MD) and those with normal inner ear anatomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective data was collected from Jan 2008 to Dec 2016. Children with bony IEM other than MD, syndromic association, multiple disabilities, those lost to follow up, and perilingual or postlingual deafness were excluded from study. Audiological outcomes for auditory perception (CAP score) and speech intelligibility (SIR score) was noted for a follow up period of 1 year. RESULTS: Mean age at implantation was 2.8 years (Range of 2 to 6 years). 2 patients had intraoperative CSF ooze which was controlled intraoperatively by conservative measures. Post operative facial nerve function was normal in all patients. None of the patient in either group had any complications at one year of follow up period. There was statistically significant improvement in CAP - SIR score in Group A at 6 - 12 months compared to pretreatment. There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of CAP - SIR score at 6 - 12 months. CONCLUSION: The study stresses the fact that cochlear implantation can be safely performed in children with MD although there is a risk of intraoperative CSF leak which can be controlled intraoperatively. Cochlear implantation in children with MD has good surgical, auditory and speech outcomes at par with children with normal bony inner ear anatomy.

A clinical profile of revision cochlear implant surgery: MERF experience.

Objective: To study the prevalence of revision cochlear implant study in a tertiary care referral center. To assess the various indications and surgical outcomes of revision cochlear implant surgery. Methods: A retrospective chart review of revision cochlear implant surgery done from June 1997 to December 2019. All the surgeries that were done in children of 12 years and below were included. The revision surgeries were either with or without explantation and reimplantation. The causes included were device failures, electrode extrusion/malposition, magnet migration, persistent foreign body reaction, facial twitching, wound infection, and cholesteatoma. Results: A total of 1636 pediatric cochlear implantation surgery were performed during the study period of 22 years. There were 94 (5.7%) revision surgeries done for various indications during this period. Out of them, 67 patients (71.3%) had device failure thus being the commonest indication for revision surgery, followed by infection in 12.8% of the total patients. Among the total revision, 81 (86.2%) patients had explantation and reimplantation of the new device. Conclusion: Indications of revision cochlear implant surgery are manifold that can be either device-related or patient-related. Revision surgery needs a highly skilled and experienced team of surgeons, audiologists, and habilitationists for achieving optimal results.

Quality of life assessment in paediatric cochlear implant recipients in South India: Parental assessment and correlation with rehabilitation scores using a bilingual quality of life assessment questionnaire.

Objectives: To assess the quality of life (QoL) of prelingually deaf paediatric population after Cochlear implantation (CI), using a bilingual questionnaire and to correlate with rehabilitation scores; to validate the questionnaire and recommend its use in future studies.Methods: This was a questionnaire based cross-sectional study. Parents of 151 paediatric prelingual CI recipients filled the questionnaire using a 5-point rating scale, with a score of 1-5. These scores were correlated with the CAP and SIR scores.Results and discussion: There was a positive correlation of QoL score with rehabilitation outcomes (r = 0.4638 and P ≤ 0.00001 for CAP; r = 0.3563 and P ≤ 0.00001 for SIR scores). The maximum scores (≥4.0) were given by parents for integration into educational system (4.86), response to environmental sounds (4.12) and overall parental satisfaction about child's performance (4.09). Minimum scores were given for ability to speak in sentences (2.9) and response to verbal sounds at a distance (3.23).Conclusion: The QoL of these children as assessed by the institutional questionnaire have correlated with the rehabilitation outcomes. These QoL results have a positive impact in counselling for early CI as well as for rehabilitation.

Posterior semi-circular canal electrode misplacement in Goldenhar's syndrome.

Literature documents the incidence of electrode misplacement within the range of 0.2% to 5.8% with the superior SCC as the most common site, followed by the vestibule. In this report, we present the finding of electrode misplacement in the posterior SCC in a child with Goldenhar syndrome which was subsequently corrected. This child with bilateral congenital profound SNHL presented for unilateral cochlear implant surgery. Intraoperatively, the lateral SCC bulge, stapes, oval window, round window niche and pyramid were noted absent, leading to a surgical decision in favour of a subtotal petrosectomy. Using the aberrant facial nerve and jugular bulb as critical landmarks, a cochleostomy was performed in the posteroinferior aspect of the promontory bulge. Although electrode insertion was smooth and complete, NRT was absent in the presence of normal electrode impedance. A post-operative HRCT scan showed the electrodes in the posterior SCC. Repositioning of the electrodes was carried out by creating a new cochleostomy anteroinferior to the previous one. Complete correct electrode insertion was accomplished via this cochleostomy complimented by robust NRT tracings. Cochlear implant electrode insertion should be supported by correct identification of surgical landmarks. Intraoperative impedance testing and NRT help confirm device integrity and correct placement, the absence of which may raise the suspicion of malposition. In the presence of such a suspicion, the post-operative HRCT scan is a useful retrospective guide to corrective action, in a low-cost setting lacking intra-operative imaging facilities like X-ray, Fluoroscopy, Flat Panel CT & CBCT. Abbreviations, BERA: Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry; CBCT: Cone Beam Computed Tomography; EAC: External Auditory Canal; ITD: Insertion Test Device; LSCS: Lower Segment Caesarean Section; MDT: Multi-Disciplinary Team; NICU: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; NRT: Neural Response Telemetry; OAE: Oto-Acoustic Emissions; PIH: Pregnancy Induced Hypertension; SCC: Semi-Circular Canal; SNHL: Sensori-Neural Hearing Loss.