The aim of this study was to investigate hearing preservation in adults receiving cochlear implants with Flex arrays. Fifteen adults (19 ears) implanted with Flex EAS® (n = 4) or Flex Soft® (n = 15; MedEL, Innsbruck, Austria) were included in this retrospective study. The mean array insertion length was 25 ± 0.9 mm (n = 19), and the mean cochlear coverage was 435 ± 14.5° (n = 19), with no difference between EAS and Soft arrays. Residual low-frequency hearing was preserved in all implanted ears but deteriorated [pure-tone average (125-1000 Hz) 55.1 ± 2.90 dB before vs. 81.0 ± 3.02 dB after surgery (n = 19, p < 0.01)]. Both Flex arrays allow deep insertion with reproducible hearing preservation.
Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.