Postoperative dynamics of electrode impedance changes in children with cochlear implants

To determine the electrode impedance dynamics changes in the postoperative period after cochlear implantation as well as the time of their stabilization. MATERIAL AND METHODS 75 patients with a bilateral sensorineural deafness aged from 1 to 4 years (average age - 1.5 years) were included in the study. 50 patients were implanted with Nucleus cochlear implants (Cochlear - Australia) and other 25 patients - with Advanced Bionics implants (Switzerland). RESULTS The impedance dynamics analysis in two groups of patients implanted with «Cochlear» and «Advanced Bionics» cochlear implants demonstrated that statistically significant decrease in impedance (p<0.05) was observed after the beginning of electrical stimulation and the reduction of postoperative inflammatory process in the inner ear. The stabilization of the impedance levels in both groups of patients was obtained in 3-6 months after the switch-on of speech processor.