Cochlear Implants and Other Implantable Hearing Devices by Ruckenstein MIchael J.;

Author:Ruckenstein, MIchael J.;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ebook, book
Publisher: Plural Publishing, Incorporated
Published: 2014-01-27T00:00:00+00:00

FACIAL STIMULATION

Occasionally stimulation of the cochlear implant will result in the patient reporting a sensation other than hearing. These sensations are referred to as “nonauditory percepts.” Facial stimulation is one of if not the most common form of nonauditory percept. The proximity of the facial nerve to the auditory nerve leaves it vulnerable to unwanted spread of electrical stimulation from the cochlear implant. The degree of stimulation varies in its presentation. Facial stimulation can range from a light twitch that is felt but not visible to severe facial grimacing. Regardless of its presentation, facial nerve stimulation is bothersome to the patient and should be managed through programming.

Nonauditory percept of this form can result from a single electrode, a group of adjacent electrodes, or from cumulative stimulation of the entire array. Psychophysical measurements may be used to identify the offending electrode(s). The clinician may stimulate discreet electrodes at the patient’s maximum levels and monitor for any aversive nonauditory percepts. It may not be possible to identify a single or group of electrodes causing the problem. A number of management options are available when nonauditory percepts are present. These include: reduction of the maximum stimulation level, peakclipping, increasing the pulse duration, and, if necessary, deactivation of one or several electrodes. The effect of increasing the pulse duration or widening the pulse width is to allow for comparable loudness percept at a reduced current level, thus lessening the likelihood of unwanted current spread.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.