Spectral resolution and speech perception after cochlear implantation using the round window versus cochleostomy technique

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the spectral resolution achieved with a cochlear implant in users who were implanted using round window route electrode insertion versus a traditional cochleostomy technique. Methods Twenty-six patients were classified into two groups according to the surgical approach: one group (n = 13) underwent cochlear implantation via the round window technique and the other group (n = 13) underwent surgery via cochleostomy. Results A statistically significant difference was found in spectral ripple discrimination scores between the round window and cochleostomy groups. The round window group performed almost two times better than the cochleostomy group. Differences between Turkish matrix sentence test scores were not statistically significant. Conclusion The spectral ripple discrimination scores of patients who had undergone round window cochlear implant electrode insertion were superior to those of patients whose cochlear implants were inserted using a classical cochleostomy technique.